Driver a risk to public
LOCAL Member Lawrence Springborg yesterday expressed his concern over community safety after a serial drink-driver walked free from court on Wednesday.
Stanthorpe woman Allison Taj Frederiksen, 39, was picked up by police twice last month returning readings of .318 and .407, which is eight times the legal limit.
The mother-of-two was due to appear in Stanthorpe Magistrates Court on Tuesday but was taken into police custody for being drunk and in contravention of bail conditions. After a night in custody she appeared at Warwick Magistrates Court on Wednesday where she was sentenced to 10 and six months concurrent jail terms for the drink-driving charges and was convicted but not further punished for her bail breach.
However, none of the term was to be spent in jail and she was instead ordered to serve the 10 months through an intensive correctional order in the community and will be required to adhere to restrictions, including one to abstain from alcohol. Mr Springborg said he didn’t feel the sentence reflected the gravity of the crime.
“This is a person continuously flouting the law and drink-driving,” he said.
“How many times do you have to give these people a chance? It’s about protecting society and maybe the best place to rehabilitate this person is inside prison.”
