Serial drink-driver back on WA roads under the influence of drugs

Pic: STOCK

Mitchell Walsh, who hit and killed a 10 year old girl in 2003 while driving drunk, is now facing drug-driving charges after having his licence returned despite multiple driving convictions.

Police Minister Michelle Roberts is calling for Mr Walsh to be banned from the roads for life following allegations he was caught driving under the influence of drugs. 

She said she was stunned to hear he was given a driver's licence. 

"He has offended time and time again, I'll be getting some strong advice from the Police and the Road Safety Commission about how we can toughen up the law, so that we can prevent people with this kind of driving record from ever getting any kind of licence, let alone an extraordinary licence."

Despite a record that includes seven drink-driving convictions and eight convictions for driving while disqualified, the Department of Transport again granted Mitchell Walsh a licence. 

In 2003 Walsh was acquitted of dangerous driving causing death when he struck 10 year old Jess Meehan while driving drunk, after a jury accepted his argument that the collision was unavoidable even if he had been sober.

He was then jailed in 2014 after receiving his eighth conviction for driving without  a licence. 

Mrs Roberts said he doesn't deserve the privilege of driving and was disgusted to hear of the allegations. 

“This man has had chance after chance and all he has displayed is a callous disregard for the law and the lives of other road users,” she said. 

As yet police have not revealed the drug to which Mr Walsh allegedly tested positive.

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