Drug driving charges lead to range of convictions in the Port Magistrates Court
A range of drug and driving charges have been heard in the Port Magistrates Court, including two western suburbs men caught behind the wheel with drugs in their system.
West & Beaches
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Three drivers have appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates court to face charges relating to drugs.
Convictions were handed for each offender on Wednesday, leading to fines and penalties.
Below are drivers who faced the Port court. It serves to act as a deterrent to others from drinking or drug driving.
HARRY STEFANOPOULOS
A 54-year-old Fulham Gardens man has pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle with a combination of drugs in fluid or blood.
The court heard the incident occurred at 4pm on February 24, 2018, when Harry Stefanopoulos was pulled over by police on Adelaide Road in Murray Bridge.
A police prosecutor said after being stopped for a licence check, Mr Stefanopoulos submitted to a breathalyser and drug test and had a positive reading for methamphetamine and cannabis.
“He spoke to police at the time and he stated that he consumed some marijuana a couple of days before,” the police prosecutor said.
Mr Stefanopoulos, a full-time carer for his mother, said he was pleading guilty to the charge, as it had been hanging over him for three years.
“I just want to get on with my life,” he said.
Magistrate Paul Foley handed down a conviction, a $1300 fine and disqualified Mr Stefanopoulos from driving for 12 months.
LISA KATE BURTON
A Mount Gambier woman has pleaded guilty to driving without a licence and a drug equipment charge.
Lisa Kate Burton, 38, was pulled over by police on Wehl Street in Mount Gambier at 4.20am on July 23 last year.
“The police pulled over the vehicle, had a conversation with the accused and checks revealed she did not hold a South Australian or Victorian licence,” a police prosector said.
“Further checks confirmed she did not hold a licence in any state.”
Burton was then later charged with possessing equipment to use with a controlled drug (not
cannabis) in Mount Gambier on September 25, 2019.
Burton said she had no excuse for her behaviour and was willing to cop her punishment “on the chin”.
On the driving charge, Magistrate Paul Foley recorded a conviction, handed down a six month good behaviour bond and also issued a three year licence disqualification.
Burton was convicted on the other charge and fined $50.
TRAVIS EASTON WILLIAMS
A 39-year-old North Haven man has pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle with a combination of drugs in fluid or blood.
On 9.30pm on December 6, 2019, Travis Easton Williams was pulled over at a police testing station on Semaphore Road at Exeter.
He tested positive to a combination of methamphetamine and cannabis.
Appearing via phone, Williams said he had not driven for more than six months.
Magistrate Paul Foley recorded a conviction, gave a $900 fine and disqualified Williams licence for six months.