Man May Face Prison Time Following His Seventh Conviction For Driving Without Insurance. He Also Has Ganja Charges.

By Alric Lindsay

Damion Ainsley Livingston appeared in the Summary Court on July 8, 2026, to face Ganja and traffic offences.  Given the number of prior convictions for driving without insurance, it is within the court’s discretion to impose a prison sentence on Livingston.  However, the Chief Magistrate is taking a careful and considered approach, analysing the arguments of Livingston’s attorney for him to do community service rather than spend time in jail.

Summarising the incidents, defence attorney Greg Walcolm said that the possession of Ganja with intent to supply and consumption of Ganja offences occurred in January 2023.

Walcolm shared:

In that matter, the plea was accepted on an agreed basis earlier this year on the 27th of January… the basis was that he primarily had the Ganja for personal use… No commercial purpose or motive was identified in that possession with intent to supply.

He has also pleaded guilty to the possession of Ganja charge.

There is also a related traffic offence that occurred on the same day… where Mr.
Livingston actually is guilty of driving without insurance and two other… offences.

Walcolm continued:

The other charge is a simple possession charge of… 4 ounces of Ganja.

That offence occurred in April of 2024, just over a year after the initial offences.

Walcolm then set out the relevant sentencing guidelines and factors in Livingston’s favour that should serve to reduce any sentence to be handed down by the court. Concerning these factors, Walcolm indicated the following on Livingston’s behalf:

** There is clear remorse

** There is a positive character or exemplary conduct confirmed by his employer

** He has taken steps to address his addiction and expressed a willingness to engage in counseling and a treatment program

** He complied with bail conditions for nearly three years

** He entered a guilty plea, showing acceptance of responsibility.

In the circumstances, Walcolm recommended to the court that Livingston be given a suspended sentence or a community order rather than having him spend time in prison.

After hearing these submissions, the Chief Magistrate especially highlighted Livingston’s traffic offences, saying, “Do you realise he has six driving without insurance charges?”

The Chief Magistrate added:

Mr Livingston has demonstrated very blatant disregard for traffic laws.

His record demonstrates that.

It is aggravated by the fact that he served a period of imprisonment for driving without insurance and driving whilst disqualified.

The Chief Magistrate emphasised the seriousness of the foregoing because the court’s hands were slightly tied in relation to the legal consequences for Livingston’s traffic offences.

The Chief Magistrate continued:

[When] you smoke weed, you’re harming yourself.

[When] you decide you’re going to drive without being qualified and without insurance, you’re harming the public.

You’re a risk to the public.

That’s where the potential harm comes in.

The Chief Magistrate concluded:

I’m not going to hand down sentence today… but a custodial sentence is looking very likely… how long is a matter that I will have to decide.

Livingston is now scheduled to return to court on July 20, when he will learn whether he will receive prison time or have that sentence suspended.