Serial offender jailed

By David Kavanagh | posted on December 19, 2019

SHEARER Wayde Alan Hambley will spend the next seven months in prison after he was sentenced for driving with a cancelled licence in Albany Magistrates Court last Thursday.

The 49-year-old had his licence disqualified for life on January 15, 2003 but was caught behind the wheel of a Ford Territory station wagon in Cranbrook shortly after 9pm on September 26.

Prosecuting Sergeant Dave Loverock said this was the fourth offence Mr Hambley had committed since the permanent disqualification.

He said the accused recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.12 when he was stopped, exceeding Western Australia’s legal limit of 0.05.

The court was told Mr Hambley was working as a shearer with his partner and stepson at the time the offence was committed.

His defence counsel Liz Hamilton said her client had been drinking and intended to drive the car a short distance from Cranbrook Hotel to their accommodation because he did not want to leave expensive shearing tools in the vehicle.

“The vehicle wasn’t lockable,” she said.

Magistrate Raelene Johnston said Mr Hambley had not learned from a suspended imprisonment order served to him previously.

“When people continue to drive while under suspension, they are wilfully defying the law. People do not significantly appreciate that that’s a jail-able offence,” she said.

“It’s not just a case of you driving while under suspension. You were intoxicated and you chose to drive.

“You thought the safety of the tools in your vehicle was more valuable than the safety of individuals on the road.

“An immediate term of imprisonment is appropriate.”

Mr Hambley was served further disqualifications and fined $1700 for the drink driving offence.

He waved to his mother in the back of the court as he was taken into custody.

“See-ya mum, love you,” he called.