By Alric Lindsay
Sheila Obrien O’Connor appeared before Magistrate McFarlane in the Summary Court today, March 10, 2025, to be sentenced for traffic and ganja offences. She received 12 months probation for the ganja charges and was disqualified for three years for the traffic offences.
Background
Regarding the first traffic offence, it was explained that in October 2022, O’Connor was travelling west across Shamrock Road when she lost control of the vehicle and collided with a utility pole. It was a single-vehicle collision.
When police arrived on the scene and started removing O’Connor’s things from the vehicle, they found a bag with 0.62 grams of ganja.
The second traffic incident occurred in February 2023.
On this occasion, O’Connor was stopped for speeding near Water Cay Road in North Side. When she produced her driver’s licence, the police noted that it expired on June 1, 2022.
Additionally, the vehicle registration expired on November 17, 2022, and the certificate of roadworthiness expired on January 17, 2023.
When the police searched the vehicle, they discovered 8.72 grammes of ganja.
Regarding the final traffic incident, in July 2023, O’Connor was involved in a two-vehicle collision along North Church Street in the vicinity of Esso On The Run.
The police noted that O’Connor was driving with a driver’s licence, which expired on June 1, 2022. The vehicle registration also expired on April 21, 2021, and the roadworthiness certificate expired on March 17, 2021. Lastly, her insurance expired on July 30, 2021.
Sentencing
Arguing on O’Connor’s behalf, attorney Oliver Grimwood noted that she was in a coma in the hospital for several weeks after one of the accidents. Reportedly, she suffered a traumatic brain injury and has no recollection of the incidents.
After hearing from prosecution and defence counsels, Magistrate McFarlane noted that although the incidents occurred on separate dates, she would sentence O’Connor as if they all happened on the same date.
Accordingly, Magistrate McFarlane imposed a 12-month probation order with two conditions for the drug charges. She must maintain contact with her probation officer and submit to random drug testing as and when her probation officer requires it.
No conviction will be recorded against her if she completes this testing period.
Regarding the traffic offences, Magistrate McFarlane said:
Now driving… take that off your mind for a long time.
I’m going to tell you why you are facing three consecutive one-year disqualifications for driving without insurance.
These disqualifications were outlined by Magistrate McFarlane as follows:
- Disqualification from March 10, 2025, for 12 months to March 10, 2026.
- Disqualification for a further period of 12 months to March 2027.
- Disqualification for a further period of 12 months to March 2028.
Magistrate McFarlane noted that if O’Connor drives during this period, she will commit a separate offence.
O’Connor was advised of her right to appeal the sentence.
