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Guernsey's Magistrate has jailed a young father, despite his defence Advocate warning he may miss both of his children's birthdays and the birth of his third baby if he is sent to prison.
Corey Le Poidevin (24) was already on a suspended sentence for previous unrelated offences when he was caught driving without a licence or insurance earlier this year.
He pleaded guilty and was sentenced by the Magistrate's Court yesterday.
Judge Graeme McKerrell told him he had shown a "wanton disregard for the safety of others" and that although Le Poidevin had told police officers he doesn't need insurance or a licence because he's a safe driver, that his "disregard for the basic legal requirements" means he was an unsafe driver with a "cavalier attitude."
Judge McKerrell said he had no choice but to issue a prison sentence in light of what was before him.
Pictured: Judge Graeme McKerrell
Le Poidevin's lawyer said the thought of going to prison "chilled him" because it meant he may miss his eldest's child's second birthday, his younger child's first birthday and the birth of his third child.
He had admitted breaking a previously issued suspended sentence but his lawyer said it was "an error of judgement" and that although he didn't want to use his "poor start in life" in his defence, Le Poidevin's previous "devil may care attitude" was now behind him.
His lawyer said Le Poidevin was now focused and motivated to stay out of trouble" and that a suspended sentence would help him achieve that.
Judge McKerrell disagreed and said he had no doubt that Le Poidevin would offend again without a prison sentence. He said he had failed to complete community service before and that his "words are a hollow promise."
Taking into account his guilty plea, Le Poidevin was given a one month prison sentence for driving without insurance and two weeks to run concurrently for driving without a licence and for failing to notify the States Traffic Committee of a change of ownership of a vehicle.
Judge McKerrell also enacted Le Poidevin's previous suspended sentence meaning he was given four months in prison in total.
Le Poidevin was also given a three year driving ban.
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