Apprentice machinist Couper Benjamin McMullen-Hansen caught driving disqualified from court

A young apprentice was taken into custody for driving while disqualified on his way home from court after appearing for the same offence. Find out his reasoning.

Just moments after appearing for driving while disqualified charges, a 20-year-old man was caught doing the exact same thing on his way home from court in the Southern Highlands.

Couper Benjamin McMullen-Hansen, 20, pleaded guilty to the charge on Tuesday via audiovisual link at Moss Vale Local Court.

Upon being caught, the Moss Vale local was placed into custody due to his proclivity for reoffending, and his lawyer, Fiona Kaye, applied for his release.

Couper Benjamin McMullen-Hansen, 20, appeared at Moss Vale Local Court via audiovisual link. Picture: Wesley Lonergan

She told the magistrate that she gave the third-year machinist apprentice a talking to.

“He said he didn’t realise the seriousness of this – that he’s facing a possible jail sentence – but certainly gets the message now,” Ms Kaye said.

According to the documents tendered to the court, on Tuesday police were stationary on Throsby Street, Moss Vale when they noticed McMullen-Hansen driving a silver Mazda and recognised him as someone they've previously spoken to about being disqualified.

When placed under arrest and questioned by police as to why he was driving, he said: “I only drove because it was raining”.

He now has three driving while disqualified charges before the court – all of which he has pleaded guilty to.

Facts state the second most recent one occurred in Braemar on June 23 when police were patrolling the Old Hume Highway and noticed McMullen-Hansen in a blue Volkswagen turning left onto the highway from the right turn lane.

Upon stopping the car they recognised him as a disqualified driver. Police facts state his explanation for driving was: “I’m a f***ing d***head”.

According to documents, he was also recognised from previous dealings on the Old Hume Highway, Aylmerton on May 31, and he said: “I needed to go to work, then go to Sydney to get some smokes and vapes”.

Facts state McMullen-Hansen was first disqualified from driving for six months a week prior on May 24 for another offence, however he did not appear in court for the charge and was sentenced in his absence.

Magistrate Mark Douglass called McMullen-Hansen’s behaviour “blatantly arrogant”.

“I’ve seen many young men in your position and to make things worse, you had one offence, were convicted in your absence and disqualified and you continued to do it,” Magistrate Douglass said.

“It’s almost like sticking your finger up at me and saying ‘you can’t tell me what to do.’.”

Magistrate Douglass granted him bail and urged him not to drive.

McMullen-Hansen will be sentenced on July 26.