Luke Smee: Logan Village painter in court for forgery, perverting justice
A respected Logan painter forged a bizarre medical certificate from a local practitioner to try and dodge a drug driving charge which was “destined for failure”, a court has heard.
Local
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A respected Logan painter forged a bizarre medical certificate from a local general practitioner claiming he was allergic to a non-existent substance “cannabis penicillin” in order to dodge a drug driving charge, a court has heard.
Logan Village man Luke Rhys Smee, 28, pleaded guilty to charges of forgery, uttering and attempting to pervert the course of justice in Beenleigh District Court today.
WATCH: Alleged thief tackled, tied up during home robbery
‘I love youse’: Teary farewell as teen runs out of chances
Hammer attack victim too unwell to give statement
The court heard the offences all occurred on September 6, 2018, the day Smee entered a plea of ‘not guilty’ to a charge of drug driving alleged to have occurred on February 7 the year prior.
Smee handed a submission to the police prosecutor which included a medical certificate purporting to be from his GP, Dr Greg Hales of the Crestmead Medical Centre, which stated Smee was allergic to a number of penicillin moulds including “cannabis penicillin”.
The court was told Smee told the sitting magistrate at the time, “I’m allergic to what they’re trying to go me for.”
Discrepancies in the certificate led police to the clinic, where Dr Hales informed them Smee was a patient but he had not signed the certificate.
In a police interview with Smee in November 2018, he admitted to his forgery and claimed he “didn’t have time” to get a proper certificate.
Defence counsel James McNab told the court Smee continues to deny the charge of drug driving and the matter is listed for a hearing in the coming months.
He told the court his client’s occasional cannabis use ceased when he developed symptoms similar to anaphylaxis after consuming the drug.
“He probably could have gotten a genuine medical certificate to that effect,” an incredulous Judge Craig Chowdhury noted.
He also said the forgery was “destined to fail” due to the clumsy wording of Smee’s certificate.
Magnanimously, Dr Hales still provided a character reference for Smee, who continues to be his patient despite the forgery.
“Most doctors I know would be furious,” Judge Chowdhury said.
Smee was sentenced to two years’ jail with immediate parole. He had served two days behind bars during his initial arrest.
Convictions were automatically recorded.