Bradley Craig White, 60, jailed after being caught driving unlicensed for 11th time

A self-described “stupid” tradie has been jailed for driving while disqualified after being nabbed behind the wheel without a licence for the 11th time.

Bradley White, of Newport, leaves Manly Local Court after a previous appearance. Picture: Manly Daily

A Sydney tradie, convicted seven times for driving while his licence was disqualified, has been jailed by Manly Local Court.

The 60-year-old northern beaches carpenter, who can’t resist the temptation to get behind the wheel, has also been pinged drink-driving and driving with a cancelled licence four times each.

In the latest incident, bumbling Bradley Craig White was caught driving again at Mosman while serving a lengthy disqualification, which was due to run from May 2019 to November this year.

The Newport tradie was spotted by the North Shore Highway Patrol driving a Toyota ute at 8.15am on May 14, in the T3 Transit Lane on Spit Rd, which only vehicles with three or more occupants can use.

White was alone in the HiLux.

Bradley White leaving Manly Local Court after a previous court appearance. Picture:Manly Daily

In court on Wednesday, White was described as a much sought-after and highly skilled carpenter, who had done work for high-profile clients including Sydney artist Ken Done.

Done even provided White with a written reference when the tradie previously appeared in court for driving while disqualified — twice in 45 minutes at Terrey Hills — on Anzac Day in 2022.

White had been disqualified at the time for mid-range drink driving and then ignoring a court order to put a mandatory alcohol interlock device on his car.

On Wednesday, magistrate Robert Williams said he had no option but to jail White for 10 months. Mr Williams set a non-parole period of seven months.

Earlier in the proceedings, White’s Legal Aid lawyer said her client had made an “incredibly poor decision” to drive again.

Artist Ken Done previously wrote a reference for carpenter Bradley White. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“It was foolish … he was trying to get to work,” the solicitor said.

“In his own words, he said it was ‘stupid’.

“He just needs to stay at home on Centrelink … but he wants to work.”

Mr Williams noted White had been jailed for nine months in 2022 for similar offences.

“The court needs to impose an appropriate sentence for the continuing offending,” the magistrate said.

“His conduct needs to be denounced.

“The penalty needs to a deterrent, not only to Mr White, but the wider community. Offences of this type do endanger other members of the community.”

White, who pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, was convicted of the most recent offence.

As well as the jail sentence, he was disqualified from driving for another 12 months.

He is appealing the severity of the sentence in the Sydney District Court.