A man disqualified from driving until 2050 has finally paid the ultimate price for his continued offending.
Andrew Joseph Cox was sentenced to seven months in jail with a four-month non-parole period after he was caught occupying the driver’s seat at North St Marys on October 23.
Penrith Local Court heard Cox had racked up six ‘drive while disqualified offences’ since 2012, and only narrowly dodged full-time prison in 2014 when he received a 14-month Intensive Correction Order for his last offence.
But driving unlicenced was not his only indiscretion, with two prior drink driving convictions also appearing on his record.
When given the opportunity to explain or defend his actions, Cox, who represented himself, remained mute.
“I don’t have anything to say,” he said nonchalantly.
Magistrate Geoff Hiatt was scathing.
“What did the last magistrate say [would happen] if you were caught driving again?” he asked.
“Jail I ‘spose,” Cox replied.
“I think the only way to describe you, Mr Cox, is a recidivist offender,” Magistrate Hiatt fumed.
Before being led down to the cells, Magistrate Hiatt told Cox he would have been eligible to have the majority of his lengthy driving ban quashed under new legislation had he not re-offended.
He was disqualified for a further 12 months.
He will be eligible for release on parole on March 21, 2019.
Alena Higgins is the Weekender’s Senior News Reporter, primarily covering courts and Council issues.
