A Barrack Heights tradie has been jailed for six months after being caught driving illegally for the ninth time.
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Michael Vaughan Delfino was nabbed driving with a disqualified licence after being stopped for a random breath test just after 7am on September 17, last year.
It was the 36-year-old’s ninth licence-related offence since acquiring his provisional licence.
His list of prior infringements include disqualified driving charges in 2012, two in 2010, and one in 2009; a driving while suspended charge in 2008; and unlicensed driving charges in 2005, 2001 and 2000.
Defence lawyer Jonathan Kearney told the court Delfino had previously suffered from mental health problems, as well as addictions to cannabis and amphetamine following the breakdown of a relationship, but had come along in leaps and bounds since getting medical help last year.
‘‘He’s made significant progress Your Honour,’’ Mr Kearney said.
Mr Kearney told the court Delfino was in the process of getting his concreting business up and running when he was caught behind the wheel – this was despite having a junior staffer with him who had a licence.
He asked the court to extend leniency to Delfino and suspend any prison sentence. However, Magistrate Michael Stoddart refused the request, slamming Delfino’s behaviour.
‘‘Your record doesn’t help you,’’ he said, noting Delfino’s long list of prior offences.
‘‘It’s basically contempt of court.’’
He sentenced Delfino to 12 months jail with a six-month non-parole period.
Delfino immediately lodged an appeal against the decision and was released on bail pending the appeal hearing in District Court next month.