Geraldton woman handed lifetime driving ban for repeated offences

A Geraldton driver has been given a lifetime disqualification and 80 hours of community service after repeatedly driving under the influence of alcohol and without a licence. On Monday, Geraldton Magistrate’s Court was told Ronice Markischa Kelly was first stopped on Broome Street in Spalding at 1.15am on October 5 and she refused to provide a breath sample. Prosecutor Sgt Beau Jones said officers ascertained Kelly did not hold a driver’s licence after it had been cancelled in 2016, and she was taken into custody for breaching unrelated bail conditions. Her car was impounded and the 44-year-old spent more than three months behind bars before being released in January this year. Two months later she was caught driving again in Waggrakine and provided a breath sample which was more than three times the legal driving limit. In court, Magistrate Chris Miocevich told the woman this was her third conviction for driving under the influence and fifth for driving on a suspended licence — necessitating a lifetime ban. “You cannot afford to be driving under the influence of alcohol,” he said. “Not only are you a risk to yourself and others, at some point you’ll be facing imprisonment.” She was placed on a six-month intensive supervision order and ordered to complete 80 hours of community service.