Bad Victorian tradies: Noah Frik, Daniel Jack, Ashley Luke Powell, David John Reid, Jack Swiatek, Vijitharan Mahendran fall foul of the law

Shopfitters, mechanics and concreters are just some of the Victorian tradies who’ve fallen foul of the law in recent weeks.

Tradies have fronted Victorian courts in droves.

Shopfitters, mechanics and concreters are just some of the Victorian tradies who’ve fallen foul of the law in recent weeks.

Burnouts not cool, magistrate warns

A shopfitter has been warned doing burnouts aren’t “cool”.

Noah Frik, 19, pleaded guilty in the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court in June 2023 to loss of traction when driving and reckless driving.

On October 29, Frik was driving a white station wagon on the Goulburn Valley Hwy when police spotted him doing burnouts and revving the engine.

Noah Frik faced the Shepparton Magistrates' Court and kept his licence.

After producing his licence, police impounded the car and Frik had to pay $1500 to get it back.

“You might think it’s a pretty cool thing to do but it’s not,” Magistrate Ian Watkins said.

He warned Frik any further burnouts would mean his licence would be in “jeopardy”.

Frik was placed on a good behaviour bond without conviction and did not lose his licence.

He was ordered to complete the ‘Cool Heads’ Road Safety Program.

Oops! Mechanic urged to keep eye on licence

A Wahring mechanic thought his licence was still “current” after having it suspended two weeks before he was intercepted again by police.

Daniel Jack, 43, pleaded guilty at the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court to driving an unregistered vehicle while his license was suspended. 

The court heard on October 25 of last year, police intercepted a white Nissan Navara Ute just outside Shepparton and discovered that Jack was behind the wheel. 

However, his license had been suspended on October 11. Additionally, officers found the vehicle to be unregistered and inoperable.

Mr Jack was driving his white Nissan Navara Ute, like the one pictured, when he was intercepted by police on October 25 last year. Picture: Supplied

During the proceedings, Jack admitted to his previous suspension, stating he had done something “stupid” after a night out.

He explained his ute was scheduled for repairs at a mechanic during that time. Jack also had a history of traffic offences, including a drink driving charge in 2008, as well as drug possession and speeding violations in 2007 and 2003.

Acknowledging his mistakes, Jack admitted to having no excuse for his behaviour and claimed to be going through a turbulent period. 

He expressed remorse and emphasised there was a licensed driver in the passenger seat who should have taken the wheel instead.

Judicial registrar Anthony Gwynne recognised Jack’s acknowledgment of his errors, remarking on the importance of Jack’s license to him, given his work in Shepparton. 

Mr Gwynne said there was no benefit to the community in suspending Jack’s license again and instead imposed a $500 fine without a conviction.

Encouraging Jack to rectify his actions, Mr Gwynne urged him to take responsibility for his actions and make positive changes.

Jack has no connection to Wahring Motors.

Carrum Downs tradie involved in fatal crash

Ashley Luke Powell, a 26-year-old former concreter and scaffolder from Carrum Downs, pleaded guilty in a Melbourne court for his involvement in a fatal incident that claimed the life of Timmy Rakei, a dedicated father of four.

The June 7 court proceedings revealed Powell’s role in assisting the driver who struck Mr Rakei while he was on duty as a traffic controller at a road works site in Carrum Downs.

The court heard on a November day in 2021, Mr Rakei and his colleague Shaun Kilmartin had taken necessary precautions by setting up warning signs, flashing lights, and traffic diversions on Hall Rd.

Timmy Rakei was hit and killed while working at a roadworks site. Picture: Supplied.

However, a driver in a Holden Commodore, travelling erratically at speeds between 95 and 105 km/h in a 70 km/h zone temporarily reduced to 40 km/h, crashed into the colleagues.

While Mr Kilmartin survived with serious injuries, Mr Rakei tragically lost his life.

Powell’s charges included assisting the driver in fleeing the scene, destroying his clothing, and evading police detection for several hours after the crash.

The court heard Powell had answered a call from the speeding driver, providing him with a ride in his black Hyundai.

Powell claimed he initially believed the driver had hit a tree and was unaware of the fatality until later.

Several hours after the incident, Powell distanced himself from the driver and eventually surrendered to the police.

However, he admitted to aiding the driver in burning his clothing to avoid being caught.

Despite having a significant criminal history and being disqualified from driving on the day of the collision, Powell presented himself as having the support of numerous family members and a job offer as a scaffolder upon his release.

Powell will be sentenced in July.

Jail for abattoir worker over horrific assault

An Ararat abattoir worker has been jailed for assaulting and threatening to kill a woman.

David John Reid, 44, pleaded guilty in January 2023 to charges including making a threat to kill, intentionally causing injury, assault with intent to commit a sexual offence, and two counts of common assault.

In the County Court in June, Reid was sentenced to five years and six months in prison, with a non-parole period of three years and eight months.

The court was told Reid subjected his victim to a terrifying hour-long ordeal, during which he repeatedly hit, choked, and threatened to kill her.

The disturbing incident took place in April 2021 when Reid threw the woman to the floor and menacingly declared his intention to harm her.

He proceeded to strangle her multiple times, strike her face and head, and inappropriately touch her genital area.

Even after the altercation, Reid continued to send messages to his victim, expressing regret for his actions but also blaming her for his predicament.

Reid’s arrest followed his victim’s report to law enforcement.

The court was made aware he had spent 760 days in custody since his apprehension. Additionally, it was revealed Reid had suffered severe burns over 20 per cent of his body in a childhood accident, which left him scarred and vulnerable to bullying.

Would-be mine worker caught with more than 60 cannabis plants

A man from the southeastern suburbs with a 20-year addiction to marijuana has been busted with more than 60 cannabis plants in his home.

Hampton Park resident Jack Swiatek, 44, pleaded guilty to the drug charges during his June 2023 appearance at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.

Swiatek was also found in possession of a machete without the necessary permit.

The police stumbled upon the large quantity of cannabis while apprehending Swiatek for an outstanding complaint and warrant in April.

The residence showcased dried plants suspended from the ceiling, backyard plantations, and a plastic tub filled with dried cannabis buds.

Swiatek was caught with more than 60 cannabis plants.

The subsequent execution of a search warrant led authorities to seize 61 cannabis plants, a considerable amount of loose cannabis, a tick book, and a machete concealed in a black sheath.

Following his arrest, Swiatek was immediately remanded in custody.

In court, it was revealed the 44-year-old had secured employment in Queensland’s mining sector upon his release.

Magistrate John O’Callaghan cautioned Swiatek about the potential consequences of his drug addiction, emphasising that his mining job would be jeopardised if he failed to address his habits.

Mr O’Callaghan recognised the police’s fair treatment of Swiatek but expressed concern about his post-release rehabilitation and the challenge of breaking free from longstanding drug dependency.

Swiatek was sentenced to 43 days’ imprisonment, considering the time already served.

Caravan manufacturer caught up in drunken brawl

A Sri Lankan asylum seeker desperate for Australian protection assaulted police after a drunken brawl involving a group of men armed with bats and wooden planks.

Vijitharan Mahendran, who arrived in Australia by boat in 2012, escaped conviction after pleading guilty to assaulting an officer and resisting arrest in a drunken brawl.

The incident occurred in March 2019, when Mahendran attended a gathering on Summer St, Deer Park.

Witnesses reported a loud altercation involving several men armed with bats and wooden planks, leading to concerns of an armed burglary.

Vijitharan Mahendran pleaded guilty in Sunshine Magistrates Court to one count of assault police, three counts of resist police, and one count of drunk and disorderly in public. Picture: News Corp

When police arrived, most of the men had fled, but Mahendran and another man were found hiding nearby.

Heavily intoxicated, Mahendran aggressively approached the plain-clothed officers and swung at them, narrowly missing contact.

Despite their attempts to restrain him, he continued to resist and swung at them again.

In a separate incident on November 5, police attended Mahendran’s address for unrelated matters and encountered him heavily intoxicated once more, leading to another instance of resistance during arrest.

During the May 2023 court hearing at Sunshine Magistrates’ Court, Mahendran’s lawyer Cameron Marshall stated his client was confused during the first incident and did not recognise the plain-clothed officers as law enforcement.

Mr Marshall also said Mahendran had limited his alcohol consumption since the events took place and now worked as a caravan manufacturer.

Magistrate Cecily Hollingworth acknowledged alcohol’s role in both incidents and questioned why Mahendran had not sought formal help to address his alcohol-related issues.

Mahendran was fined $2500, but no conviction was recorded.