Jean-Pierre Mouawad convicted and fined after Mercedes catches fire
A proud Mercedes Benz owner who won the car of his dreams in a lottery was planning on selling it and giving $140,000 to his family before his plans went up in flames.
The Express
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The proud owner of a Mercedes Benz who won the pride and joy in a competition was planning to sell the $160,000 car and give the money to his family, before it went up in flames.
Jean Pierre Mouawad, 26, thought he was the luckiest person alive when he won the Mercedes AMG C63S coupe in a raffle run by car group LMCT Plus in May 2020.
But less than a year later Mouawad found himself at Bankstown Local Court after the luxury vehicle caught fire when he was performing burnouts.
The 26-year-old was part of a wedding parade at Chester Hill, in Sydney’s southwest, at 12.30pm on January 17 where he had been performing burnouts in front of a large crowd.
Onlookers filmed as he allegedly revved the powerful car’s engine, causing smoke to billow from the car and catch on fire.
Footage posted to social media from the moment show three men scramble to flee the vehicle and escape injury.
The $160,000 car was completely destroyed, with pictures posted to social media showing the interior completely melted by the blaze.
Mouawad was charged with one count each of dangerous driving and negligent driving.
The 26-year-old on Thursday entered a formal plea of guilty to negligent driving with the charge of dangerous driving being withdrawn.
Mouawad’s lawyer told the court his client, one of seven children, had plans to sell the car for $140,000 after having it for only eight months as a way to help his family.
“This was a momentary spontaneous act on the day and it was foolishness,” he said.
Magistrate Glenn Walsh said there was a “fair bit of negligence on the day”.
“The wheels being used in a way where the fire is started is not a safe operation of a motor vehicle,” the magistrate said.
“I must take into account the loss of $140,000 and I imagine he’s been the subject of ridicule.”
Mouawad was convicted of negligent driving and fined just $300, despite the maximum fine being $1,100 for the charge.
“The penalty I impose is to express deterrence but moderated because of the fee and financial loss,” Magistrate Walsh said.
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