John Netane, 39, of Narrabeen: Serial drink driver caught while serving 5-year licence ban

A serial drink driver, already serving a five year driving ban, was caught behind the wheel – again – on the northern beaches.

John Netane, 39, of Narrabeen, a serial drink drive offender, outside Manly Local Court on Wednesday, where he was convicted of driving while disqualified (second offence) and having alcohol in his systems as a "novice driver". He was serving a 5-year ban at the time. Picture: Manly Daily

A serial drink driver was caught behind the wheel of a car on the northern beaches despite having had his licence taken from him for five years.

John Netane, 39, had been banned from driving until September 2025, but police stopped him while he drove in a Manly backstreet in December 2023.

Manly Local Court head on Wednesday that the Narrabeen labourer, who technically still a on his L plates, also had alcohol in his system.

Magistrate Robyn Denes was told that Netane had a shocking driving record, including a series of serious drink driving-related convictions.

A criminal and traffic record tendered to court showed that in 2009 he was found guilty of a high range drink offence.

John Netane, 39, of Narrabeen, was twice convicted of refusing a police breath test. Picture: Judith Kerr

Then in 2013, Netane was hit with two convictions for driving with a mid-range blood alcohol reading — in July and October.

In 2020 Netane was again in trouble police. In may that year he was convicted of refusing to allow his breath to be tested after he was pulled over.

Then in September 2020, he was again convicted of refusing a breath test and was also banned from driving for five years for not having a mandatory interlock alcohol device fitted to his car.

In a police facts sheet tended to court on Wednesday police stated that they stopped Netane while he was driving a Toyota Echo in manly’s Kangaroo Ln at 11.20am on December 28 last year.

A police check found that his learner’s licence had been disqualified until September 30, 2025.

He also blew 0.013.

Netane pleaded guilty to one count each of drive while disqualified (second offence) and novice driver with novice range PCA.

John Netane, 39, of Narrabeen, was ordered by Manly Local Court, to complete 100 hours community service. (AAP IMAGE / MONIQUE HARMER)

Magistrate Denes told Netane that a court-ordered Sentence Assessment Report into his most recent offending showed he had little insight into the implications of his decisions to keep on driving.

“(You) have a problem with drink driving,” she said.

“If you continue down this path, you'll end up in custody.”

Ms Denes convicted Netane on both counts.

She handed him a Community Correction Order to be of good behaviour for 18 months and disqualified him from driving for another nine months.

Netane will also have to complete 100 hours of community service.