SOCIETY HAS FAILED: A man who can’t read or write has appeared in court on his third charge of driving without a licence.
SOCIETY has failed a young Orange man who left school without being able to read or write well enough to get his licence magistrate Bruce Williams said.
When Garry Whiteley, 22 appeared in Orange Local Court after being caught driving without a licence for the third time, he was told by the magistrate he has to pay off his fines and prove he is making a genuine effort to learn to read so he can pass a driving test.
“This is a blight on our society that someone can get to your age and not be literate.
“It takes a big person to stand here and admit that and it can’t be easy for you,” Mr Williams told Whiteley.
Mr Whiteley’s solicitor Neil Jones told the court his client had experienced a ‘tough upbringing” and left high school when he was 15.
“He has tried to do the exam and has undertaken a reading and writing course,” Mr Jones said.
Mr Whiteley said when he sat for his driving test he could manage smaller words but had difficulty reading large words.
The magistrate told the accused while some sections of society would see jail as an option for driving without a licence for the third time, he was keen to see the young man succeed in improving his literacy which was the stumbling block to his getting a licence.
“I think it is really important for you to be able to get your licence so I will put this [case] over for one month and you need to make some positive steps,” Mr Williams said.