A Ballarat mother has begged a court for drug rehabilitation after she was caught drug-driving.
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Hayley Marie Scott pleaded guilty to five driving-related charges, including drug-driving and driving while disqualified, which occurred from 2019 to this year.
The Ballarat Magistrates' Court was told on Thursday police saw Scott driving a grey Honda sedan along Boronia Drive, Wendouree, at 2.02am on August 29, 2019.
After intercepting Scott, she told police members she did not have a driver's licence because it had been cancelled.
The court was told her licence had been cancelled on April 7, 2019, because Scott failed to complete a drug behaviour program.
According to Scott, she was out searching for a mate's car which had been stolen, and it was "probably not the smartest thing to do".
On February 1, 2020, police saw a Honda sedan travelling north on Doveton Street, Ballarat, when the driver failed to give way at the Sturt Street intersection.
Police intercepted the vehicle on Lydiard Street where Scott's identity was confirmed.
The mother-of-two told police she did not have a licence, which had been cancelled for not completing the drug behaviour program.
The court was told Scott underwent an oral fluid test which confirmed she had the drug ice in her system.
She said she used ice a few days ago and did not think it was still in her system.
Scott's car was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1200.
In another incident on January 29, this year, police were on patrol when they saw a grey Honda sedan travelling south on Wattle Avenue, Wendouree.
Scott was confirmed as the driver and checks showed she had been disqualified from driving because she had not completed the drug behaviour program within three months.
Scott's Ballarat Victoria Legal Aid lawyer told the court drugs formed part of the problem in the offending.
He said Scott had drastically reduced her drug use and used it occasionally, which was something she would rather not do, but she had succumbed to peer pressure.
The court was told Scott suffered depression which may relate to a traumatic incident she witnessed as a teenager.
"If her mental health is better she would less likely use drugs.
- Defence lawyer
"This is a matter where she is begging the court for help."
Scott provided a letter to magistrate Julie Grainger.
"With your drug use, you have to treat your underlying issues. There are a number of ways we can tackle the problem," Ms Grainger said.
"I am happy to put you on a community corrections order that is very structured."
The magistrate said the other option was to defer sentence and place Scott on bail support, but Scott said she would prefer to finalise the matter so she did not have to return to court.
Scott was sentenced on Friday to a 12-month community corrections order, which includes drug assessment and treatment. Her driver's licence was disqualified for 12 months.
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