Woman fails to get driving ban lifted after calling magistrate ‘mate’

A woman called a magistrate “mate” as she tried desperately to get a driving ban lifted but it ended with her storming out of the courtroom.

A woman’s desperate bid to get a driving ban lifted failed in a Gladstone court. Generic image.

A Central Queensland woman’s bid to get a driving ban lifted got off to a bad start when she called a magistrate “mate”, with it all going downhill from there.

The drama unfolded in Gladstone Magistrates Court on October 25 when Katy Myree O’Brien, 31, applied to have a two-year driver’s licence disqualification removed.

The prosecution opposed the application.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Tanya Griffiths said Ms O’Brien’s eight-page traffic history was “absolutely appalling.”

“.... 11th of January, 2018 - drug drive; 3rd of March, 2018 - unlicensed drive; 26th of July, 2018 - disqualified drive; 15th of March, 2019 - disqualified drive; 5th of September, 2019 - disqualified drive; 15th of September, 2019 - disqualified drive; 18th of September, 2019 - disqualified drive; 20th of September, 2020 - disqualified drive; 3oth of October, 2020 - disqualified drive also drug-driving and dangerous driving,” Sgt Griffiths said.

“She also has an evade police on her criminal history (January 2020).

“Between the disqualified driving offences on her history, there are a number of speeding tickets.”

Gladstone Courthouse.

Sgt Griffiths said Ms O’Brien was also sentenced in June this year in the Gladstone court for fraud, possessing dangerous drugs and utensils, and breach of bail.

The court heard that Ms O’Brien’s current licence disqualification was due to finish on July 28, 2024.

It was also told that Ms O’Brien was currently on a suspended jail sentence.

A self-represented Ms O’Brien told Magistrate Mary Buchanan that she was a mother of five who had rehabilitated, and she produced supporting documents.

Ms O’Brien also said her case worker from Uniting Care was in court in support of her.

“I have been clean of all drugs for seven months,” Ms O’Brien said.

“I know what I did was stupid - I have an appalling traffic history, it’s absolutely disgusting but I am allowed to change, to turn my life around, and that’s what I have done.

“I’ve actually done pretty well, I’m really proud of myself and this is the only thing I need to get my children to school, to appointments.

“I can’t keep on relying on everyone to take me everywhere, and spending a fortune on the cabs when there’s no buses that run in this town on weekends either.”

Ms O’Brien then said: “I don’t know what else to say but, I really need my licence mate and...”

Ms Buchanan interjected saying: “Don’t call me mate” and Ms O’Brien apologised.

Ms O’Brien was allowed to continue with her submission.

Before making her ruling, Magistrate Buchanan took considerable time going through both the prosecution’s case and O’Brien’s.

Ms Buchanan refused the application and an angry Ms O’Brien immediately stormed from the courtroom, speaking but not directly to the magistrate on her way out.

Originally published as Woman fails to get driving ban lifted after calling magistrate ‘mate’