UPDATE 1.30pm: A MAN who received a suspended jail term after being caught drink-driving three times in one day breached the sentence within hours of being released from custody, a court has heard.
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Tony Benson, 46, of Young, New South Wales, briefly appeared via video link at Bendigo Magistrates Court this morning charged with driving while disqualified and drink-driving.
Police caught him in Woodvale yesterday afternoon, just hours after being sentenced to a four-month jail term, which was wholly suspended.
The court did not disclose Benson's blood alcohol reading following a breath test at Bendigo Police Station later that night.
On Thursday, Benson pleaded guilty to three drink-driving charges, one careless driving charge and one charge of excessive speed.
In addition to the suspended sentence, he was disqualified from driving in Victoria for 28 months and received a $2600 fine.
This morning, Magistrate Jennifer Tregent said the case was one of the quickest breaches of sentence she had seen during her time on the bench.
The court heard Benson had no criminal record in Victoria, but had been previously been convicted in New South Wales courts.
"(He has) an extensive criminal history of driving matters in New South Wales, but he's avoided jail time previously," Ms Tregent said.
The court heard Benson had not been in custody until being remanded on Wednesday night.
When asked about custody management issues, lawyer Alex Cini said his client had been suffering from mental health and heart problems and high blood pressure.
He requested Benson be medically assessed while in police custody.
Ms Tregent adjourned the case and remanded Benson until Monday.
EARLIER: A MAN who lost his licence after being caught drink-driving three times in one day has been discovered driving in Bendigo less than six hours later.
Tony Benson, 46, of Young, New South Wales, was found drink-driving three separate times on Wednesday afternoon.
Leading Senior Constable Tony Graham said Benson was remanded overnight on Wednesday and fronted court yesterday.
He plead guilty to three drink-driving charges, one careless driving charge and one charge of excessive speed.
As a result, he received a four-month suspended sentence, was disqualified from driving in Victoria for 28 months and received a $2600 fine.
Leading Senior Constable Graham said Benson was caught driving later that afternoon and was remanded again overnight.
He will face the Bendigo Magistrates Court today.
