Motorists convicted for unlicensed driving in Rockhampton Magistrates Court

Here’s the details of those who pleaded guilty to driving without a licence in Rockhampton Magistrates Court.

A number of people have been caught out driving while unlicensed in Rockhampton. FILE PHOTO

A number of unlicensed drivers were dealt with in Rockhampton Magistrates Court recently.

Michael Dougan, 45, was intercepted driving about one month after he was disqualified from driving for three months by court.

Dougan pleaded guilty to the charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 22.

Police prosecutor Courtney Brown said Dougan was intercepted by police driving along Boundary Road, Parkhurst, at 9.50am on June 8.

Ms Brown said police checks on Dougan’s driver’s licence revealed it had been disqualified in court for three months from May 12.

She said Dougan gave police no reason for driving other than to pick up a woman.

She said Dougan’s registration plates were confiscated for 90 days due to his traffic history.

Defence lawyer Rebecca Winning said her client accepted he shouldn’t have been driving and was remorseful.

Ms Winning said her client was contacted by a woman who told him she needed a lift.

She said her client’s vehicle was unregistered and that would deter him from driving.

Dougan was fined $750 and disqualified from driving for two years.

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Jeffrey Robert Harbord, 34, was intercepted driving after he was disqualified from driving for two years by court.

Harbord pleaded guilty to the charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 22.

Police prosecutor Courtney Brown said Harbord was intercepted by police driving along Cambridge Street, Rockhampton, at 11.20am on May 27.

Ms Brown said police checks on Harbord’s driver’s licence revealed it had been disqualified in court for two years from February 4, 2021.

She said Harbord told police he had spoken to the Department of Transport and Main Roads, which he claimed told him his State Penalties Enforcement Registry suspension had been lifted and that he was licensed.

She said Harbord further told police he was picking up an old car.

She said because it was Harbord’s fifth Type 2 vehicle related offence, it was seized by police.

The court heard Harbord was not the owner of the vehicle.

Defence lawyer Brendan Gimbert said his client did contact SPER and claimed he was told that if he made a payment towards his SPER debt his SPER suspension would be lifted and that he would be right to drive.

“I don’t know what information SPER has, but according to his traffic history he was disqualified by the court,” Mr Gimbert said.

“He should have understood that he shouldn’t have been driving. Nevertheless, from the advice from SPER he was told if he paid the money, he would be right to drive and he acted on that, incorrect albeit.”

He said his client was in the process of purchasing the vehicle.

Harbord was fined $750 and disqualified from driving for two years.

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Glen Charles Sheen, 52, was intercepted driving while SPER suspended along Rockonia Road, Rockhampton, at 1.41am on June 27.

Sheen pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 22 to one count each of driving without a licence and contravene direction or requirement of police.

Police prosecutor Courtney Brown said police checks on Sheen’s driver’s licence revealed it was SPER suspended from March 13 for five months.

Ms Brown said Sheen told police he was unaware his licence had been suspended and that he had not received any mail about it.

She said Sheen was issued with an identifying particulars notice and had failed to provide his identifying particulars within seven days.

Sheen was fined $500 and disqualified from driving for one month with convictions recorded.

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Mallory Jane Jones, 31, was intercepted driving while demerit point suspended in Mount Morgan on April 21, and then again almost two weeks later on May 4.

Jones pleaded guilty in Rockhampton magistrates Court on July 22 to two counts of driving without a licence, and one count each of driving an uninsured vehicle, driving an unregistered vehicle, and offences involving registration certificates (plates cancelled).

Police prosecutor Courtney Brown said Jones was intercepted driving along Upper Dawson Road, Allenstown, about 1.30am on April 18 after police observed her travelling at a speed slightly higher than the speed limit in backstreets and not using any main roads.

Ms Brown said police conducted checks on Jones’ vehicle, which revealed it was unregistered, with the registration expiring on July 8, 2020, and uninsured.

She said due to the amount of time elapsed since the vehicle was last registered, the registration plates had been cancelled.

She said Jones told police she had recently purchased the vehicle from her cousin and had not made any inquiries regarding its registration status.

Ms Brown said Jones was intercepted driving along Tipperary Road, Mount Morgan, about 4.10pm on April 23.

She said police checks on Jones’ driver’s licence revealed it was demerit point suspended from April 21 for three months.

She said Jones told police she was driving her children home from school and was unaware her licence was suspended.

Ms Brown said Jones was intercepted in the driveway of an address on Limerick Lane, Mount Morgan, about 4.40pm on May 4 after police saw her driving along James Street and knew her licence was suspended.

She said Jones told police she knew she shouldn’t have been driving.

She said Jones further told police her child and mother were sick and that she needed to take them to hospital.

She said further conversations revealed no one attended hospital, but instead attended a chemist in Rockhampton and other shops along the way.

Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said her client was aware she should have made inquiries on the vehicle but didn’t.

“I had purchased the vehicle from my cousin,” Jones said, addressing Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale.

“She said it was fine to drive but I didn’t check, it was my fault.

“I have fixed the car and it is ready for registration.

“I have never purchased a car before.”

Jones was fined $1900 and disqualified from driving for one year with convictions recorded.

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Steven Lorri Nairn was intercepted driving while SPER suspended along Middle Road, Gracemere, at 2.45pm on June 17.

Nairn pleaded guilty to the charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 22.

Police prosecutor Courtney Brown said police checks on Nairn’s driver’s licence revealed it was SPER suspended from March 21.

Ms Brown said Nairn told police he was unaware his licence was SPER suspended.

She said Nairn further told police he had not updated his current residential address with the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

She said Nairn immediately contacted SPER and rectified the situation.

Nairn addressed Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale and said he resided in Townsville but had been staying with his father.

“That’s why I haven’t received any correspondence from the department to update my licence,” he said.

Nairn was fined $300 and disqualified from driving for one month.