A MAN caught drink-driving for a ninth time, and who has a “mind boggling” driving history, has had his 10-month prison sentence downgraded to a six-month minimum.
Peter Roger Wandin, 41, from Ballarat East, now has just four months to serve before being eligible for parole after having already spent the past 61 days behind bars.
Wandin’s most recent offences occurred late last year, when in November he was picked up by police driving a car with cancelled registration plates and while he was disqualified from driving.
Once intercepted, Wandin got out of the driver’s side of his Ford Fairlane and ran down an alleyway, but was caught after just 50 metres. He did not co-operate with police.
Then, in December, he was seen driving fast and erratically in Eureka Street. When a police officer approached his car after he had been pulled over, Wandin sped off.
He was arrested later, and recorded a blood alcohol content of 0.129.
He was still disqualified from driving at the time, recording his 11th charge for the offence.
Appearing in the County Court in Ballarat yesterday, Crown prosecutor David Cordy said Wandin had an “absolutely disgraceful” record, and that the magistrate was well justified in imposing a 10-month effective prison sentence.
Wandin’s lawyer, Simon Kenny, argued that the original sentence was excessive, instead suggesting that it be partly suspended.
He conceded Wandin, a father of five, had a bad driving history, but said his client had made significant improvements recently, including completing a men’s program.
Judge Fran Hogan decided to increase Wandin’s sentence to 12 months, but with a non-parole period of six months.
“It’s a really appalling history and he’s thumbed his nose at the law time and time and time again,” she said.
“It’s just woeful. How long does it take for someone to wake up, I mean he’s not a child. It’s just mind boggling.”
Judge Hogan upheld the original disqualification from driving period of five years, and fines of $800 with conviction.
Article SRC: BY EVAN SCHUURMAN
http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local ... 02616.aspx
