Fabio Zarfati: Rose Bay Automotive owner has conviction overturned
Fabio Zarfati is in the business of making luxury cars sing. So the Rose Bay Automotive owner was stunned to be charged with leaving the scene of an accident and moved to have his name cleared.
Wentworth Courier
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An eastern suburbs luxury car expert who crashed into a parked vehicle and left a note with the wrong phone number has had his conviction overturned for leaving the scene of an accident without giving his details.
Rose Bay Automotive owner Fabio Zarfati specialises in servicing high end vehicles and is particularly sought after for his expertise in Lamborghinis.
Mr Zarfati appeared before Sydney District Court to appeal his $400 fine and conviction over the incident which happened on January 7.
Judge Dina Yehia read aloud from the police fact sheet about the crash which caused $9000 in damage to the parked car.
“He was driving home, proceeding at about 35km/h when his vehicle lost traction and slid into the victim’s vehicle which was parked parallel to the kerb,” Judge Yehia read.
“He parked his car, got out and wrote a note which said “please call me regarding the accident” and gave a number.
“He placed the note on the windscreen and returned to his vehicle.”
The court heard a number of attempts were made to call the incorrect mobile number, which had two of the digits around the wrong way, before the victim reported the crash to police.
Barrister Catherine Lin of Trust Chambers told the court Mr Zarfati had immediately paid his insurance excess once he was tracked down so the company could organise the repairs.
He also expressed his remorse in a letter of apology to the court and pleaded guilty to the charge.
“Your Honour, what I’d be seeking is a Section 10(1)(a),” Ms Lin said.
This section of the Act gives the court the power to completely dismiss the charge, conviction and fine of a guilty person.
Judge Yehia agreed to set aside the charge, conviction and fine saying she believed what had happened was “inadvertent”.
Following her ruling, the Crown prosecutor inquired if to satisfy the legislation, Mr Zarfati should have left his name and licence details as well.
“What I’ve said stands,” responded Judge Yehia.
“Apologies You Honour I was just thinking out loud,” he said.
Outside court, the Wentworth Courier asked Mr Zarfati if he wanted to comment on the matter.
“No thank you, I just want to put it behind me,” he said.