Suspended driver and “prolific offender” Daniel Clayton Smith jailed again

A magistrate has slammed a man for his “deplorable traffic history” after he told the police he was his brother when caught driving on a lifetime suspension — his 12th no-authority-to-drive offence. Bunbury Magistrate’s Court on Thursday was told Daniel Clayton Smith was driving in Dalyellup in June when he was told to stop by police and instead did a U-turn, signalling for the officers to follow him to his property where he then told police his brother’s name instead of his own. Smith appeared in court via video link from Bunbury Regional Prison to face charges of failure to stop, no authority to drive, giving false personal details to police and use of an unlicensed vehicle. His lawyer argued Smith was going to buy food for loved ones and nothing was wrong with the manner of his driving. To which Magistrate Belinda Coleman responded: “Committing an offence in a responsible manner, I’ve never heard of such a thing.” Smith’s lawyer said it was disappointing to see community corrections had “essentially given up on him”, however, Ms Coleman said she did not know when the 36-year-old would learn his lesson. “Why should I release Mr Smith on an order at the expense of the community when this is now his 12th no authority to drive,” Ms Coleman said. Ms Coleman said Smith was released on parole, breached it and then came out after serving his entire sentence just to reoffend. She said it was commendable he had met a new partner in April this year who was supporting him. “The ball really is in your court Mr Smith,” she said. Police prosecutor Sgt Darren Clifton told the court Smith was a person “well past the point of rehabilitation”. “Providing a false name to police may seem like a minor offence, but it shows the level of deception he’s willing to go to avoid detection,” Sgt Clifton said. “It’s a very serious offence on its own.” Smith was sentenced to 18 months backdated to his arrest on June 25 and made eligible for parole after nine months and fined more than $1000.