Abbey McKenzie, 23, of Murnane Street, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court this week. She received a 14-day jail sentence which was suspended for 12 months.

Magistrate Peter Mellas said McKenzie had a history of ignoring driver’s licence suspensions and she needed to change her driving habits or risk going to jail and her three children could finish in care. 

The court heard that on November 17 last year police intercepted McKenzie driving in Queens Road, Warrnambool. 

Police said she knew her licence was suspended but had said she was driving because she was pregnant.

Defence counsel Jonathan Makary requested McKenzie, who appeared in court with her three-week-old baby, not be immediately imprisoned.

He said McKenzie was interacting with support services including counselling and was about to undertake an anger management course.

She has previously had infringements and fines discharged by the court but still has court fines to pay.