Kai Michael Soumelidis tried to lie to police to get out of charge
The P-plater was caught committing the same offence three times in just 10 days, and lied to police about what actually happened, even though they had photographic evidence.
Police & Courts
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A young dancer caught driving while suspended three times in 10 days tried to get out of it by lying to police twice, court documents reveal.
Kai Michael Soumelidis, 18, pleaded guilty to three counts of driving while suspended in Tweed Heads Local Court on Monday.
Soumelidis was first stopped on Minjungbal Dr turning into Soorley Drive on May 29 for a random breath test according to court documents.
Checks showed his licence had been suspended due to speeding.
Soumelidis told police: “I’m suspended but my friend had a medical emergency and I took her to hospital.”
He said he had contacted the hospital and they said it was okay for him to drive.
The woman, a passenger at the time, said she’d been there about an hour ago and was released, but when police contacted the hospital there was no record of her attending.
Three days later, on June 1, police saw Soumelidis’s car parked on Enterprise Avenue before he entered the car with a woman and reversed out, which police photographed.
He was stopped again driving on June 8 on Soorley St with two women in the car.
During the stop he was questioned about driving on June 1 where he said his friend was driving the car.
After police told him they had a photograph, he admitted to driving and said he had no excuse.
In court defence lawyer Mark Boys said his client was remorseful for his actions.
“He’s young and dumb,” Mr Boys said.
Mr Boys said Soumelidis had moved to Tweed Heads to attend a dance school and take his career in that direction.
He said the car was now gone.
Magistrate Geoff Dunlevy said the offences were “born out of naivety”.
“You probably won’t be aware of how easy it is to get caught,” Mr Dunlevy said.
Soumelidis was spared a conviction and sentenced to a two year conditional release order.
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