Alex Aslan: Alex & Co owner disqualified after driving with a suspended licence

A Parramatta restaurateur’s shocking driving record got worse when he got behind the wheel to buy his pregnant wife coconut water.

Alex & Co Parramatta restaurant owner Alex Aslan’s multiple driving offences have cost him more than $10,000 in fines, and now he’s been convicted for driving with a suspended licence.

But the city’s prominent leaders have backed the “impressive” man’s successful bid to drive again.

The 35-year-old fronted Fairfield Court with his wife on Tuesday, after pleading guilty to the offence at Merrylands Rd, on December 27, when police pulled him up for driving 20km over the 60km/h speed limit.

The court heard Aslan’s wife was dehydrated and could not drive so he got behind the wheel of his white Mercedes E450 to buy her some coconut water from a pharmacy.

Alex & Co owner Alex Aslan has recorded his second conviction for driving offences. Picture: Monique Harmer

A letter from Aslan tendered to the court said he was not thinking about the consequences of driving to the chemist.

“On this day she was unwell, and I was worried about her wellbeing and that of my unborn child,’’ he wrote.

Court documents reveal he told police he was unaware of the suspension status, which Magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis rejected as an excuse.

The suspension was in place from August 25 until March 24 after he was speeding more than 10km over the limit in July.

But it was one of about 30 offences he has racked up for more than a decade – including a low-range drink driving offence for which he was convicted in 2015.

The careless driver has been caught for speeding, running red lights, driving while using a mobile phone, disobeying left-hand turns and crossing mark lines, and has lost 53 demerit points in five years.

This week, his letter to the magistrate outlined how driving without a licence caused time delays and financial stress on Alex & Co and his family’s five station cafes, The Food Depot.

“It has placed a great deal of stress on myself as every day is not the same, and things happen unexpectedly,’’ he wrote.

Alex Aslan has paid tens of thousands of dollars in fines for his driving offences. Picture: Richard Dobson

“For example, I often receive phone calls from managers when there are issues with equipment or staffing.

“Majority of the time, these matters are urgent and required to attend the store. I have had to rely on family members, my partner and driving services to enable me to fulfil my duties as the owner.

“I am remorseful for my actions and have taken the time to reflect. I understand driving is a privilege not a right to which I had previously taken for granted.’’

Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer wrote a letter of support praising Aslan.

“Mr Aslan is a very impressive young man who is very passionate about his business and his close-knit family,” he wrote.

“His Alex & Co restaurant business in Parramatta is one of the leading attractions in Parramatta and is a great contributor to the economy in Parramatta.’’

Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger praised Aslan as a hard worker who established a key business along Church St.

“I have been impressed by the entrepreneurial drive that Alex has taken to establish a significant new restaurant and bar in the busiest streets in western Sydney.

“I hope that his hardworking character is considered, and I wish him every success and hope that he can continue to support the employment of many people in the business.’’

Magistrate Tsavdaridis convicted Aslan, fined him $800 and disqualified him from driving for three months for his most recent driving offence.

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