Josh Beau Sweeney: ‘It’s incredible’: drug driver’s offending shocks magistrate

An Albury man busted for driving illegally twice in one week has been blasted for “thumbing his nose” at everyone. But he’s escaped time behind bars. Here’s why.

Josh Beau Sweeney.

Am Albury man caught driving illegally twice in one week has narrowly missed a year behind bars after being blasted in court for “thumbing his nose” at everyone.

Albury magistrate Richard Funston described Josh Beau Sweeney’s offending as “incredible” after he was picked up for the same offence twice in a week.

The 31-year-old faced Albury Local Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges of driving with an illicit drug in his system second offence, two counts of driving while disqualified, and driving with cancelled license.
Sweeney was picked up in a random breath test on April 1, before being caught driving under the influence of drugs just days later on April 9.

“On April 1, (he was) picked up by police then a week later, thumbs his nose up at everyone and does it again,” Magistrate Funston said.

“It’s incredible.

“He’s facing a 12-month jail sentence.”

Defence solicitor Camille McKay said when Mr Sweeney was pulled over on April 1, he was not aware his license was still disqualified, which Magistrate Funston did not accept.

“The first matter was at the beginning of the COVID-19 shutdown, he drove on the first occasion to the grocery store to get supplies,” Ms McKay said.

“Then the second time was to collect his partners 4-year-old daughter.
“He concedes he’s made poor decisions. He’s taken action to make sure he removes access to a vehicle.”

Ms McKay told the court Sweeney had been working towards getting a Certificate III in Business, and upon assessment had been deemed suitable for community service.

“Which in my submission means there’s been no ongoing drug use,” she said.

Police prosecutor Jozef Pinkerton said Sweeney had been placed on Intensive Corrections Orders in the past for other offences, and they had not stopped him from offending.

Magistrate Funston sentenced Sweeney to a 12-month Intensive Correction Order for driving while disqualified, on the condition that he abstain from drugs.
He was also sentenced to complete 150 hours of community service.
For the drug driving charge, Sweeney was given a $1000 fine.

“This time if you don’t comply you’ll just go straight in, you’ve got a lot riding on this,” Magistrate Funston said.

“There’s no use talking about getting off the drugs, today is the day, you have to be drug free.”

Sweeney promised he would remain drug free.

“Thank you for the chance, Your Honour,” Sweeney said as he left the courtroom.

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