Renee Michelle Colb: Cancer diagnosis helps woman escape jail time

A Tallimba serial disqualified driver has escaped further jail after claiming she was not getting the right cancer meds in custody.

Renee Michelle Colb claimed she wasn’t receiving her proper cancer medication while in custody.

A Tallimba woman diagnosed with cancer claimed she hadn’t been receiving the right treatment while in custody for driving while disqualified.

Renee Michelle Colb faced Albury Local Court this week, pleading guilty to four counts of driving while disqualified, second offence.

Police said Colb was caught driving illegally twice in one day on May 18.
She was pulled over by police at around 12.30pm driving east on Tallimba Rd in a silver Nissan X-Trail.
When police asked her why she was driving she said: “I needed to get my medication.”

Later that day, around 4.10pm, police were crossing a property, with the owner’s permission, that bordered on Ariah Park Rd and Brennans Tank Rd.
They saw a silver SUV parked at the top gates on Brennans Tank Rd where a person could be seen opening and closing the gates before driving away in a hurry.
Police followed the dust trail to Spackmans Lane where they located Colb once again, driving the silver Nissan X-Trail.
The 38-year-old had been caught driving while disqualified twice previously on April 16 and April 28.

Colb’s defence solicitor Carla Velasquez said Colb had not been receiving her medication while in custody, and recommended she serve a sentence outside of prison.

“She has been suffering in custody as she does have a diagnosis of cancer.” Ms Velasquez said.

But Magistrate Richard Funston was doubtful of Ms Velasquez’s claim.

“My understanding is, if you’re in custody on serious cancer medication, you’d be getting that medication,” he said.

Ms Velasquez said Colb had expressed to her and her partner, who supported her in court, that she was remorseful for her actions.

“She has had a difficult upbringing,” Velasquez said.

“Her partner has obtained his license so there’s no reason for Ms Colb to be on the road at all.”

Magistrate Funston sentenced Cold to a nine month intensive corrections order with supervision, and disqualified her from driving for 12 months.

“You have to go and have mental health treatment,” he said.

“Get a psychologist appointment through your GP.”

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