Joel Andrew Baskett needed to get out of jail by Boxing Day or face losing his public housing rental.
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He was already slated for release by Saturday on one set of charges, but another driving under the influence charge had him possibly facing more time in jail.
To support his case, his partner – with her young daughter by her side – got into the witness box in Albury Local Court this week.
She told how there was no certainty they would have anywhere to live after this weekend if Baskett was still in jail.
Baskett, 30, has been paying a nominal $5 a week rent while behind bars, though the agreement was about to end.
Magistrate Tony Murray handed Baskett another 12-month jail term this week, to be served concurrently.
That meant Baskett would still be released on parole on Saturday.
The court was told Baskett had an extensive criminal history, with “numerous” traffic and driving-related offences.
Baskett pleaded guilty to what was his second driving under the influence charge this year.
Facts put before Mr Murray told of how police began to follow a car in Bralgon Street, North Albury, on May 18 at 7.40pm.
The car was swerving “violently” across the road before turning into Swan Street.
Police asked Baskett for his licence, but he said he didn’t have one.
His excuse was he was looking for his girlfriend as he had concerns for her welfare.
Baskett returned a negative result to a preliminary breath test, though police suspected he might have been affected by drugs as was “very lethargic” in his movements and his speech slurred and confused.
Baskett admitted he had taken methadone and Panadeine Forte.
A later analysis revealed Baskett had methadone, amphetamine, methamphetamine, cannabis, the tranquilliser temazepam, the anxiety-treating drug oxazepam and the sedative nordazepam in his system.
Mr Murray disqualified Baskett from driving for two years.
