Scott Holmes: No jail for seven-time drink, drug-driver
Shocking seven: A road rule rogue was nabbed off his head while behind the wheel again, but under the law he can’t be sent down.
South East
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A methhead motorist with a seven-strong drug and drink rap sheet has fronted court after he crashed into a ditch while high on ice.
Scott Raymond Holmes has a horror history on the roads, with multiple under the influence priors on his driving record.
Under the law he is not able to be jailed for failing a roadside oral fluid test, yet someone caught repeatedly drink-driving could receive an immediate term of imprisonment.
The unemployed South Melbourne 34-year-old was also nabbed stealing grog from a bottle shop and caught in possession of ice and cannabis.
Holmes pleaded guilty to a range of driving, drug and theft offences at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
The court heard at around 1pm on July 24 last year he was driving along Koo Wee Rup-Longwarry Rd in Catani when he lost control and veered into a ditch.
Police were called and asked Holmes, who was not injured, what had happened.
He said he was tuning the radio and was not paying attention when the accident occurred.
He initially tried to blame his brother by giving cops his sibling’s name, but the photos on the police database didn’t match and he eventually confessed to who he really was.
When he was searched officers found 1g of ice and a small bag of cannabis in his pockets.
He then tested positive for ice, saying he had used meth the day before.
He was on bail at the time after being caught in April last year gathering goon from a BWS in Officer and walking out the door without paying.
Defence lawyer Daniel Badov said Holmes had severe PTSD from being bashed twice while in prison, and also suffered anxiety and depression.
He said his client had abstained from drug use for the past 12 months, but admitted he still having an issue with alcohol.
He requested an adjournment to allow time for comprehensive medical reports to be obtained.
Magistrate Greg Connellan said Holmes would likely be behind bars if this was a drink-driving offence.
“This would be his seventh (drink or drug drive) since 2005,” Mr Connellan said.
“Drug-driving doesn’t carry imprisonment, if it was drink and not drugs he would be heading to jail.
“He clearly has significant underlying issues.”
Holmes was banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to repay $154 to BWS.
He was bailed and will be sentenced on September 2.
