Carlos Saliba, Victor Supper Club: Albury restaurateur’s checkpoint charge dismissed

A wellknown border town chef has been hauled before the court for a lockdown incident at the checkpoint.

Carlos Saliba, former owner and head chef at Victor Supper Club.

An Albury man with a restaurant on the Victorian border has had his case dismissed after he was hauled before the courts for swearing at a checkpoint officer.

Carlos Saliba, who recently closed his Gateway Island restaurant over difficulties trading last year, faced Albury Local Court to plead guilty with explanation for using offensive language in a public place.

A long-time Albury-Wodonga restaurateur, Saliba recently had to close Victor Supper Club which sat right on Victoria’s border checkpoint.

Court documents reveal when Saliba was driving through the NSW checkpoint on Wodonga Place, he had an altercation with a checkpoint officer saying “I can do whatever the f--- I want”, and, “F--- you, I don’t have to give you my license. You can’t tell me what to do.” that on August 6.

Saliba, who represented himself in court, said it was a very stressful time for him, living in Albury and operating a hospitality business in Wodonga.

He said his border permit had expired the day before without him knowing, and he was running late for work.

“He wanted to drag me out of the car which is why I said these words,” Saliba told the court.

“I live in Albury, and we’re having a hard time trying to get through the checkpoint, waiting 45 minutes.

“I had a business in Wodonga.”

Magistrate Richard Funston asked Saliba why he didn’t just pay the fine.

“I didn’t pay the fine because I am having a hard time, I’ve lost my business because of this.”

Mr Funston said the checkpoint officer was just trying to do their job, and that Saliba had an “attitude”, but accepted that he had never been in trouble with the law before.

Saliba’s charges was proved and dismissed.

“I’m giving you a chance today,” Mr Funston said.

“I accept you have no money at the moment and can’t pay the fine, and you have a very good history.

“I accept that you behaved poorly under a lot of stress.

“You’ve been dealt with leniently today.”