A 36-year-old repeat drink-driving offender who failed to provide a breath sample twice and was later caught behind the wheel three times over the limit avoided jail on Tuesday.
Cassie May Brown pleaded guilty to six driving offences in the Mandurah Courthouse that included driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, having no authority to drive and failing to provide a sample of breath.
Prosecuting officer Sean Discombe told the court that Brown refused to provide a breath sample when she was stopped by police in Wannanup on August 11, driving a Holden Sedan.
Brown refused again when she was taken back to the Mandurah Police Station. Following this incident Brown’s licence was suspended until October 11, 2017, he said.
Officer Discombe said police stopped Brown again on September 12, driving the same vehicle in Falcon and subsequently her licence was suspended until March 5, 2018.
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Then again, Brown was spotted by police on September 15, but this time she was driving a different vehicle and her eight-year-old daughter was a passenger.
Lastly, Brown was stopped in Wannanup on November 9, driving the Holden Sedan and had a .157 blood-alcohol reading, he said.
Magistrate Anne Longden told the court that Brown “clearly had a problem with alcohol” and had appeared in court for three previous altercations.
Defense lawyer Michelle Cox said Brown was struggling with her mother and previous partner's death. “She’s ready to take slow and steady steps to address her behaviour,” Ms Cox said.
Brown was dealt a 12-month intensive supervision order and 80 hours of community work. Her licence was disqualified for four years.
Carla Hildebrandt
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
