Pamela Mahoney: Convicted of driving while disqualified at Wellington Local Court

A woman busted driving while disqualified asked police officers to not “lock her up for Christmas”, as her dreadful traffic history was aired in court.

Pamela Mahoney, 41, sentenced for driving whilst disqualified.

A woman with a “dreadful traffic history” has been convicted for her consistent driving offences.

Pamela Mahoney, 41, appeared in Wellington Local Court on Tuesday where she pleaded guilty for driving a motor vehicle whilst disqualified.

Police facts tendered to the court state police officers were conducting patrols in a fully marked police vehicle when Mahoney was seen driving.

Police conducted a U-turn in attempt to stop the woman, where she was “observed” to heavily “accelerate” on Marsh St. The officers then stopped the car near the Short St intersection.

According to the facts, police were aware Mahoney was a disqualified driver.

The 41-year-old told officers she was aware she didn’t have a valid license and said: “I know I shouldn’t have been driving”.

“Don’t lock me up for Christmas,” Mahoney said at the time of the incident.

Pamela Mahoney, 41, sentenced for driving whilst disqualified.

Magistrate Emma Manea said Mahoney had a “dreadful traffic history” and had shown a “disregard for the law”.

“It is serious offending,” Magistrate Manea said. “I’m not going to send you to jail today - come back again and I will have no hesitation.

“If you get in the driver’s seat - drive straight to jail because that’s where you will go.

Ms Manea said she was of the view there was a prospect of rehabilitation.

Mahoney, who was self-represented, told the court she did not own a vehicle anymore and her stepfather was able to drive her to community service.

She was convicted and sentenced her to a two-year community correction order, as well as being ordered to perform 150 hours of community service.

She is restricted from obtaining a licence.