A 28-year-old Billimari man was given a 14-month intensive corrections order at Cowra Local Court on Wednesday, July 3.
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Luke Dean Millgate of Wallaroo Street was before the court charged with two counts of driving a motor vehicle during a disqualification period and not stopping his vehicle when directed to.
According to police facts, around 4.10pm on March 3, 2019, police were traveling the Lachlan Valley Way when they observed Millgate travelling in excess of the 100km/h limit.
Police conducted a u-turn and stopped Millgate. When asked for his licence he told police he didn't have it on him.
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When asked about the status of his licence he told police, "I think I'm suspended or something". Police checks revealed Millgate's licence was disqualified from September 18, 2018 to March 18, 2019.
Police informed Millgate of this and instructed him not to drive again. He agreed saying his girlfriend would come pick him up.
Police left and traveled for a short period before conducting a u-turn and passing the spot they had left Millgate. Police noticed the vehicle had left and observed it travelling between 120km/h and 130km/h ahead of them.
Police identified Millgate driving the vehicle through the driver's side mirror and attempted to stop him for 20 seconds.
Police deemed it unnecessary to pursue MIllgate as the had already identified him as the driver and stopped on the side of the road.
Millgate's ALS solicitor, Mr Abraham, told the court the only reason his client had been driving was to take medicine to his children.
"The medicine was for his child's allergies and needed to be given in a timely manner," he said.
"My client has had a troubled past and he is trying to turn his life around."
Addressing the court, Millgate promised Magistrate Michael O'Brien he would never drive again, "Standing before you I swear I will not touch another steering wheel, gearbox, car seat".
In sentencing Millgate, Magistrate O'Brien said Millgate's criminal history showed he had trouble obeying the law.
"Giving himself a licence shows a defiance of authority," he said.
"The predicament he finds himself in is of his own making. When someone needs their licence the last thing they should do is drive.
"It just puts off the date they can get it back."
Magistrate O'Brien made it a condition of Millgate's ICO that he must satisfactorily complete the PCYC traffic offenders program, the Equips addiction program to abstain from illicit drugs, not to occupy the driver's seat of a motor vehicle or motorcycle until his driving privileges were restored and disqualified him from driving for six months.
