Chintarmody Paige Wakeling: Unlicensed driver busted by drunk boyfriend’s antics
A unlicensed female driver learned the hard way that if you’re breaking the law you shouldn’t draw attention to yourself. Maybe she should have told her out-of-control boyfriend.
Albury Wodonga
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Chintarmody Paige Wakeling was busted driving while disqualified thanks to her partner’s drunken antics which drew the attention of Wagga Wagga police.
The 29-year-old was caught driving on Edward St in Wagga Wagga on July 18 after a member of the public reported a shirtless man climbing out of a car at traffic lights, yelling, and tapping on the windows of other cars.
Even when police pulled the vehicle over to speak to Wakeling, her partner was up to the same tricks, getting out of the car and trying to climb on top of it.
When police asked Wakeling for her licence, she claimed her purse had been stolen, but police could find no record of a report.
Wakeling fronted Albury Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, where Magistrate Richard Funston said she was looking at jail time as she was already on an Intensive Corrections Order for a number of offences, including driving while disqualified.
“It makes a mockery of it all really,” he said.
“You’re on an ICO for a drive while disqualified second offence and then drive again.”
Defence solicitor Sascha McCorriston said Wakeling had been taking positive steps to improve her life.
“During all of her offending she lost custody of daughters, 5 and 7,” Ms McCorriston told the court.
“Due to the positive steps she’s taken to addressing her drug use, in the past three weeks she’s got her daughters back in her full-time care.”
Ms McCorriston told the court Wakeling had also secured admin work on a permanent part-time basis.
She said Wakeling’s parents had been drug-testing her every second day with drug testing kits, and she had been drug free since getting out of custody on April 16 this year.
But Magistrate Funston was doubtful and said he had trouble believing Wakeling after she lied about the whereabouts of her purse.
“I can’t believe anything she says,” Magistrate Funston said.
“I need the matter in writing.”
Wakeling’s sister, Krystal, appeared before the court to vouch for her sibling’s sobriety.
“When she was released this time around I could see a change in her,” Krystal said.
“I haven’t been a great support in the past, my partner and I have 6 kids, but I could tell this time she needed someone to say ‘you’ve got to do it’.
“It’s my mission in life right now to get my sister sorted out and get back on track.
“I’ve had my doubts in the past … but this time round its different.”
Magistrate Funston sentenced Wakeling to a 12 month ICO with supervision, on the condition that she abstain from drugs.
“As you know I’ve taken a very serious view of you driving while disqualified after I previously put you on an ICO for a huge number of charges,” he said.
“Then in July this year you decided to drive just because you partner was drunk and shirtless and out of his mind.
“If you were to commit any further offences from today you will go straight to jail.
“I have given you a chance today as I am impressed you’ve got off drugs and got your children back.
“But I’m still very guarded in my hope.”
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