IN AN effort to put a stop to his “chaotic” ice-fuelled lifestyle, one offender facing Swan Hill Magistrates’ Court has asked to be sent to jail.
Douglas James Tarrant, 33, faced 13 charges on Wednesday, including four counts of driving while disqualified, three counts of unregistered driving and two counts of using false number plates.
The contravention of a community corrections order was also considered by Magistrate David Faram.
On four occasions between May and August 2014, Tarrant was caught driving unlicensed — with the first offence occurring just weeks after his learner’s permit was disqualified for other offences.
The court heard Tarrant, born in Ouyen, had lived a transient life since his parents separated when he was young.
Working as a fruit picker after he left school, his drug use also started at a young age, beginning with cannabis.
At age 17 he began using speed, turning to heroin at 26 years old and finally a destructive journey with methamphetamine at 29.
“Ice has destroyed his life,” defence lawyer Jacqui Parker said.
“It is something this court has heard before, but it is no less true [in this case].
“The community corrections order could have helped him, but he still had a raging ice addiction and he didn’t make use of the supports offered to him.”
For more on this story, pick up a copy of Friday’s Guardian (February 6).
