Angus Scott Kennewell pleads guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to drink driving, possessing cannabis

A P-plater was in hot water for numerous offences, including drink driving, possessing drugs and a knife in public. Here’s the reasons he gave for his behaviour.

At just 23, a Morven man has added to his already lengthy criminal history after he was hauled before court again for numerous charges.

Angus Scott Kennewell pleaded guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to drink driving over the general alcohol limit, possessing a dangerous drug, carrying a knife in public and not correctly displaying his P-plates.

Police prosecutor Mathew Donnelly said on February 22 Roma Police conducting patrols in the CBD intercepted a vehicle for a breath test and licence check.

“They observed it swerving over the road and at one point the entire vehicle was fully on the other side of the road,” Mr Donnelly said.

“Police performed a licence check, indicating he is currently holding a P1 licence and did not have the correct red P-plates on the rear or on front.

“The P-plate on the front was lying on the dashboard of the vehicle not in a visible position.

“As he exited the vehicle, police observed he was unsteady on his feet and smelled of cannabis.”

Breath test analysis revealed Kennewell had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.034 over the zero limit for provisional licence holders.

When police began searching Kennewell’s vehicle on suspicion of drugs, he admitted to having cannabis in the front console of the vehicle and said he smoked cannabis 45 minutes prior to being intercepted.

While the exact amount of cannabis was not disclosed to the court, Mr Donnelly said it was a small amount.

When asked where he got the cannabis from, the defendant said he “bought it from a mate” but wouldn’t tell police who.

Kennewell also declared he was in possession of a pig hunting knife in a leather sheath located on the passenger side.

Defence lawyer Phillip Costello said his client was remorseful for his actions and had several reasons for his offending.

“The fact he was in possession of drugs was used as pain relief for his broken ankle,” he said.

“There was no intent to use the knife, it wasn’t going to be used as a weapon at all.

“The P-plate, your honour, he just didn’t realise it had fallen off.

“The drink drive I can only put down to being stupid, it was a very stupid thing to do.”

Mr Costello said the effects of Kennewell losing his licence would be detrimental as he wouldn’t be able to visit his baby back home in Morven and it could also result in him losing his job.

Acting magistrate Michael Bice said Kennewell didn’t have a good record with drug possession.

“I seriously think you should stop taking drugs because if you had a bigger amount, today you could have been facing imprisonment with your record,” Mr Bice said.

Mr Costello asked the magistrate to take into consideration the four months Kennewell had already spent off the road since offending, which the magistrate agreed to.

Kennewell was fined $1400 for all offences, and convictions were recorded.