Magistrate Terry Lucas said that he’s surprised by the number of people charged for driving with drugs in their system, on a day when more people were listed to appear in Mudgee Local Court for that charge than all other traffic offences combined.
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Twelve people were listed to appear charged with ‘Drive vehicle, illicit drug present in blood etc’.
Compared to 11 people charged with other traffic offences, including three drink driving matters and eight others such as drive while disqualified, exceed speed limit by more than 30km/h, negligent driving, and ‘drive contrary to direction of traffic lane arrow’.
Brendan John Monaghan, aged 35, of Nicholson Street, Mudgee, was fined $900 and disqualified for three months after he was found driving with methylamphetamine in his system on January 2, 2017, in Church Street.
When representing himself in court he said it was “just a stupid decision on New Year’s Eve”.
In sentencing Magistrate Lucas said, “you do realise there is a better chance than ever of being caught? I’ve actually been surprised by the number of people who’ve been charged.”
Jason Peter Andrews, aged 44, of Gladstone Street, Mudgee, had a warrant issued for his arrest after he failed to appear on his second offence in the last five years, having had methylamphetamine and cannabis in his blood in Gladstone Street on January 5, 2017.
Jade Rose Kapeen, aged 22, of Church Street, Mudgee, was fined $500 and disqualified for three months for driving with methylamphetamine in her blood in Lewis Street on October 28, 2016.
Jasmine Louise Pepper, aged 37, of Rouse Street, Gulgong, was fined $1000 and disqualified for three months for driving with methylamphetamine in her blood in George Street, Mudgee, on December 23, 2016.
Nicholas Jay Petchell, aged 37, of Lynne Street, Gulgong, was fined $1000 and disqualified for six months for driving with methylamphetamine in his blood in Horatio Street, Mudgee, on December 7, 2016.
While a 32-year-old Gulgong man was placed on a good behaviour bond without conviction – due to no previous criminal or traffic history - for driving with methylamphetamine in his blood in Douro Street, Mudgee, on December 14, 2016.
The remaining defendants were adjourned to later dates.