A MOUNT Gambier man received a suspended sentence in court on Tuesday after he was sentenced for driving a vehicle when he was suspended due to being diagnosed with epilepsy.
Gareth Kevin Flanagan, 20, appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court to be sentenced for a charge of driving suspended.
The prosecution said Flanagan was involved in a vehicle collision on July 5 and checks revealed he was driving suspended.
Flanagan had been suspended due to a medical condition and admitted knowing he was not allowed to drive.
The defendant’s lawyer said his client had not suffered an epileptic seizure in a long time before the offending and was struggling to come to terms with the official diagnosis.
“He did not understand the seriousness of driving suspended at the time of the offending,” the defendant’s lawyer said.
Defence counsel also cited imprisonment as a dangerous option for the defendant due to his medical condition.
Magistrate Teresa Anderson said the offending was a deliberate decision to ignore the disqualification order.
Flanagan was sentenced to 18 days imprisonment, which would be suspended on him entering a $300, 12-month good behaviour bond.
Magistrate Anderson said the references handed to the court showed Flanagan worked hard and was of good character.
She also cited his lack of prior history as good reason to suspend the sentence.
