
A WOMAN facing a string of driving charges has been given an overall sentence of 16 months' imprisonment to be served within the community as an intensive correction order.
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Katrina Sericchi, 38, of Bligh Street, Oberon, appeared in custody via audio-visual link-up before magistrate Catherine Follent in Bathurst Local Court.
Sericchi's solicitor Ms Collins told the court that her client had suffered at the hands of her now deceased partner and the repercussions from that were ongoing.
Ms Collins said her client had never been in custody before and was shocked by the experience and said she would comply with whatever the court gave her as an alternative to jail.
Ms Collins said while her client obviously didn't like prison, she was grateful that while inside she had been able to focus on a treatment plan.
"Time in custody has allowed her to slow down," Ms Collins said, adding her client hoped the court may be able to structure a sentence that was focused on rehabilitation.
Among the charges for which Sericchi was being sentenced were driving a vehicle during a disqualification period, driving a vehicle during disqualification (second-plus offence) and driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.
Antecedence handed to the court as part of the police facts outlined how the accused had a poor traffic history and what was described as a complete disregard for traffic legislation.
In addition to the intensive correction order, Sericchi was disqualified from driving for 12 months, fined $350 for driving an unregistered vehicle, fined $650 for driving an uninsured vehicle, ordered to attend the traffic offenders program, counselling and undertake 120 hours of community service.
In sentencing, Ms Follent noted Sericchi's sentencing assessment report was not favourable, as she was described as failing to engage with corrections.
But one positive, she said, was Sericchi's strong family support.
Ms Follent said the Section 5 threshold had been crossed, but afforded Sericchi the opportunity to serve the sentence in the community.