Driver avoids jail 'by whisker'

A Masterton man convicted for the ninth time for driving while disqualified has been sentenced to a term of five months home detention and further disqualified for a year-and-a-day.

Duane Michael Fricker, beneficiary, appeared before Judge Bill Hastings in Masterton District Court last Thursday and was told by the judge he had missed being sent to prison "by a whisker".

Fricker had pleaded guilty to disqualified driving in Masterton on April 16.

He had been driving with his children and was stopped in a police seatbelt check.

Fricker's children had been properly restrained and Fricker drove off but police recognised him and did a check on his driving status, determining he was a disqualified driver.

Sentencing Fricker Judge Hastings said by his count Fricker had accumulated over 100 convictions, many being for breaches of probation.

"Essentially I am at the point where I need to be convinced of to why a sentence of imprisonment should not be imposed," he said.

Judge Hastings said the single mitigating factor was that Fricker was bringing up his two young sons on his own.

"This single fact has saved you from imprisonment, it is unlikely to do so again."