Drug driver given three months to seek help

A SPEEDING drug driver has been suspended from driving for 12 months and given three months to bring his habit under control, with further sentencing deferred to allow him to seek counselling. Wangaratta Magistrates' Court last week heard the Wangaratta man had reached speeds of almost 130kph while driving northbound on the Hume Freeway earlier this year. Police prosecutor Sergeant Stuart Pritchard said officers had been posted along the freeway near Glenrowan around 5.30pm identifying the accused's Toyota utility travelling at an estimated 130kph while overtaking vehicles. They intercepted the driver and conducted an oral fluid test, which later returned positive results for methylamphetamine and cannabis. When asked his reason for driving while influenced by drugs, the accused allegedly told officers "no real reason, I'm a f*&^wit". Sgt Pritchard said the accused had a relevant drug driving prior conviction, which would see a mandatory driving suspension extended to 12 months. Defence lawyer Nancy Battiato said she had spoken with her client around seeking alcohol and drug counselling, and the defendant had informed her he had ceased using drugs following the incident. She said her client had not been planning to drive on the Saturday evening, having taken the drugs two days prior, but had been called in to work and had become distracted by his passenger while overtaking in the right lane. Magistrate Alexandra Burt said the accused had a history of drug–related offending. "Substances have been an issue for him for a long time," she noted. "He needs to keep a closer eye on the speedometer, that's clear." The accused noted he was willing to attend specialist services through The Orange Door, a promise Ms Burt gave him three months to complete before returning before the court. She said she was considering placing him on a community corrections order with treatment provisions to address the offending. The matter will return to court in August.

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