DUNCAN James Jones was convicted in Orange Local Court only days before he was caught driving with illicit drugs in his blood.
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The 21-year-old told police he had “a session last night” when he was pulled over for a random breath test and random drug test in October last year.
His statements were recorded in police facts and presented in Orange Local Court yesterday to relieving magistrate Alison Viney.
Magistrate Viney said Jones’ disregard for the law put others in danger.
She said he obviously had a problem with drugs and told him if he did not sort himself out he would end up ruining his life.
“I do a bit of work in Sydney at one of the hospitals where people with chronic cannabis use and alcohol use,” she said.
“Those people are dealing with dementia at age 45.
“You’re going to end up in one of those places or in jail.”
Magistrate Viney suggested Jones should see staff at the Magistrates Early Referral Intervention Program who could help him with his addiction, however he declined.
His solicitor Neil Jones said his client struggled with mental health issues and had ended up in hospital recently because of his mental health problems.
He said his client suffered significant depression and conceded the trouble he had put himself in was contributing to his problems.
“Immediately after he was arrested by police he said what he did, he doesn’t deny it or step away from it,” Mr Jones said.
Mr Jones said his client’s only income was from Centrelink and he received about $670 per fortnight.
Due to Jones’ mental health problems, namely anxiety, he had to look for work outside of town and would therefore need a licence, Mr Jones said.
Mr Jones also pointed out his client pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity.
Magistrate Viney disqualified Jones from driving for six months and fined him $1000.