Harley Austin, appeared before magistrate Georgina Darcy on November 4, 2020.

Austin was represented by solicitor Michael Giles.

Austin pleaded guilty to three counts of driving while disqualified and one count of driving while under the influence of illicit drugs.

Police facts indicate Austin was disqualified from driving in the Port Macquarie Local Court on February 12, 2020. That disqualification was due to expire on August 12, 2020.

However, Austin was caught three times driving during that period - at Port Macquarie on March 21, April 23 and May 9, 2020.

In police facts presented to court, and in relation to the taking of drugs, Austin stated that: "I haven't been smoking any meth, but I have been around people who have."

He was also driving with a child under 16 years unstrained in the vehicle.

Magistrate Darcy convicted Austin on all charges.

He was concurrently disqualified from driving for 12 months - commencing November 4, placed on a community corrections order and to accept community corrections supervision for 15 months, and order to undertake 100 hours of community service work.

Austin was also fined a total of $1000.

Thank you for valuing local journalism with your subscription. While you're with us, you can also receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.