TAWAU: A 21-year-old man with only four months on his probationary driving licence was jailed for three months and fined RM10,000, or an additional three months’ jail if unpaid, by the Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday for drink-driving.
Veron Baxter pleaded guilty to driving under the influence at 5.30am on July 28 at Batu 15, Jalan Apas. Tests showed he had 136mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, exceeding the legal limit of 50mg.
Magistrate Don Stiwin Malanjum ordered Veron to serve his jail term immediately.
His probationary licence was revoked, and he was disqualified from holding a driving licence for two years. Veron, unrepresented in court, failed to pay the fine.
Prosecutors said Veron lost control of his Proton Saga and crashed into a road-divider lamp post. Investigations confirmed the crash was caused by negligence and his elevated blood-alcohol level.
Charged under Section 45A(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, Veron faced a maximum of two years’ imprisonment, a RM30,000 fine, and a two-year licence suspension.
Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department officer ASP Joan Lee urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence, noting that Veron’s actions endangered both himself and the public.
She stressed that as a probationary driver, he should have exercised greater discipline.
