Melissa Louise Criniti pleads guilty to driving with a cancelled licence at Northmead

A member of the prolific Criniti hospitality family busted for getting behind the wheel of a Porsche while her licence was cancelled has been warned she ‘will be driving to Silverwater’ if her ‘appalling’ record continues.

Melissa Criniti leaves Parramatta Local Court after pleading guilty to another driving offence.

Restaurateur Melissa Criniti has been warned she will be driving to Silverwater jail if she adds another blemish to her shocking traffic record which includes 12 offences in as many months.

Criniti, who is married to Frank Criniti – the former head of the Italian restaurant chain – and is a successful entrepreneur, appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Friday where she pleaded guilty to driving while her licence was cancelled.

The 34 year old, whose Facebook account says she works at Frankie B’s, got behind the wheel of her white Porsche Macan at Windsor Rd, Northmead, on the morning of March 8 when highway patrol police nabbed her for driving an unregistered vehicle.

Police facts tendered to the court state Criniti told police: “I had to get my daughter to work. There was no other choice.’’

“Checks of the accused’s driver licence revealed the licence was currently endorsed as cancelled after completing a three-month disqualification period,’’ the facts state.

Melissa Criniti leaves Parramatta Local Court after pleading guilty to driving while her licence was cancelled.

“Furthermore, when the accused had attempted to reapply for her driver licence she was considered ineligible due to an accumulation of demerit points.’’

Magistrate Peter Feather slammed the Dural mother’s record.

“Your traffic history’s appalling,’’ he told the court.

Criniti, who was legally unrepresented, provided a copy of her driving history to the court.

After viewing it, Mr Feather delivered sobering road facts.

“Fifty per cent of road fatalities are speeding drivers,’’ Mr Feather said.

“Three hundred and sixty four people have died in the last 12 months on NSW roads – that’s an increase of 84 in the same previous period.

Melissa Criniti. Picture: Facebook

“Already this year 109 people have died on NSW roads.’’

When Mr Feather told her there was a good reason her licence was suspended, Criniti said “understood”.

She apologised and told the court her actions “hit home” more now compared to when she was younger because “now I’ve got children and a business’’.

The court heard she operates two businesses and was about to open a third restaurant.

“You’re obviously a hard worker,’’ Mr Feather said.

“But you’re not a fit and proper person to hold a licence.

“I hope you change your ways in the future because otherwise you’re going to find yourself in custody on a full-time basis.’’

Melissa and Frank Criniti. Picture: Facebook

The court heard Criniti’s brother and mother died in recent years and 2013 respectively. Criniti was diagnosed with high functioning ADHD in 2023.

She was convicted, fined $800 and placed on a 12-month community correction order, which is a good behaviour bond.

She was disqualified for driving for seven months.

Mr Feather said if she got behind the wheel during that time she would have to drive to Silverwater jail.

Frank Criniti and his now ex-wife Rima opened their first Criniti’s at Church St, Parramatta, in 2003 but the restaurants collapsed into voluntary administration in 2019 after debts of $16.5m.

However, in April 2020 six of the chain’s 13 restaurants were rescued when the Brunelli Group snapped up the business, which is one of Australia’s most popular restaurant chains.

While not involved in Criniti’s restaurants, Frank Criniti opened Frankie B’s in the Church St dining strip at Parramatta in 2021.