Repeat drink-driver gets community work instead of jail time
Daryl Clee, 41, was sentenced to 200 hours of community work and alcohol treatment. He avoided jail despite his prior drink-driving convictions.
Clee crashed into another car on Sturt Street in Alfredton on April 4, 2025. Clee had drunk 1.5 litres of port.
Clee's car was travelling with no lights. Clee's car rapidly accelerated behind witnesses who had to swerve to avoid him.
Clee then crashed into another vehicle, sending it airborne. The driver had minor injuries.
A blood test showed Clee was more than three times over the legal limit. Magistrate Guillaume Bailin said Clee had one foot in the jail door because of his history.
But Bailin chose rehabilitation over prison. Clee was sentenced to a two-year community corrections order.
The order required 200 hours of unpaid work. The order also required mandatory drug and alcohol treatment.
- 1.5 litres (two 750ml bottles)
- Port consumed
- More than three times the legal limit
- Blood-alcohol level
- 200 hours unpaid
- Community work hours
- Sturt Street, Alfredton
- Crash location
Why it mattersThe sentence shows courts balancing repeated drink-driving against chances for rehabilitation. It raises questions about road safety and holding repeat offenders accountable.
AustraliaIn Victoria, this case may influence how courts handle repeat drink-drivers and whether the community considers the sentence sufficient for dangerous driving that injured another person.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
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