Childcare worker Adrienne Lee Cowan fined after driving without licence

A childcare worker on a downward spiral had a warrant issued for her arrest after a list of offences which have affected her Blue Card, a court has heard.

Adrienne Lee Cowan, 38, was convicted in Ipswich Magistrates Court on six separate unregistered car and unlicensed driving offences.

A full-time childcare worker has been found in possession of a knife during a police interception of her car after she was caught driving on Ipswich roads without a licence and expired car registration.

Adrienne Lee Cowan, 38, was convicted in Ipswich Magistrates Court on six different counts of driving without a licence.

Cowan pleaded guilty to all six offences before the court, including driving without a license repeat offender, operating a vehicle during a number plate confiscation period, possession of a knife in a public place, removal or found tampering with a number plate, using a car for which the number plate attached is recorded as cancelled, stolen, destroyed or damaged, and vehicles used on roads must be registered.

The court heard on June 27, 2023, in Bellbird Park, police intercepted a vehicle with unregistered number plates which Cowan was the driver.

It was found by police Cowan did not have a licence and was found to possess a knife during the interception.

The defendant, who was self represented during the matter, told the court she was a mum and had a large family to support.

“(I have) just made some poor choices in life,” Cowan said.

“This time, it’s impacted my co-parenting relationship.”

The court heard the defendant is also a full-time childcare worker with a Blue Card, and her offending had impacted her ability to work.

Magistrate Kathleen Payne said it was not just poor choices affecting Cowan.

“It’s not just poor choices. It goes beyond that …” Ms Payne said.

“You’re being dishonest in the community.”

The court heard Cowan had similar unregistered car and unlicensed driving offences in February but had no criminal history.

Cowan had previously missed her original court date in court on July 25, 2023, and explained she was a full-time career for her partner, and she wrote her court date down wrong.

Ms Payne excused Cowan for the misunderstanding and revoked the warrant issued for her arrest.

Cowan, who currently has no licence, told the court she has recently applied for her learner driver online course.

Cowen received no recorded conviction and was fined $1700.

Originally published as Childcare worker Adrienne Lee Cowan fined after driving without licence