Teen’s time in jail cut

Yesterday a judge in Albury reduced the term to 15 months.

Coleman, who is just 19, had been caught driving while disqualified 16 times, with 11 of those offences in Victoria since January 23, 2011.

Magistrate Megan Greenwood had imposed a two-year minimum term with a further 12 months on parole for three disqualified driving matters in Albury.

Judge Martin Blackmore heard Coleman’s severity appeal in the District Court yesterday.

Director of Public Prosecutions solicitor Jason Lee made a concession about the severity of the penalty.

Mr Lee conceded it was one of the longest sentences he has seen for such matters for someone of Coleman’s age.

Legal Aid solicitor Chris Murnane said it was accepted that a jail term should be imposed, but the length was the issue.

Coleman, of Albury, had previously received a control order in NSW when a juvenile for disqualified driving and later spent a month in jail in Victoria for a similar offence.

He admitted understanding he was banned, but just kept doing it.

“I have learnt my lesson,” Coleman told the judge.

Judge Blackmore asked: “Do you think a longer period in jail will reinforce the message that you cannot drive?

“Why would anyone have any sympathy for you? You knew all the time you were not allowed to do it.”

Judge Blackmore said Coleman told a Probation and Parole officer that he took drugs because he liked them.

Coleman also said that if given a licence, there would be no problem.

Judge Blackmore said perhaps Coleman was telling the truth and has woken up to himself.

“The appellant is still a young man,” he said.

The sentence was reduced from a minimum two years to 15 months after Judge Blackmore said the period imposed was excessive.

He ordered Coleman to serve a further 12 months on parole when released and quashed a finding that he is a habitual traffic offender.

Coleman is banned from driving until 2018.