Maurice Power appears at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court for allegedly driving unregistered
A Shepparton man was shocked to learn he could possibly lose his licence for four years for allegedly drug driving in Kialla.
Goulburn Valley
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A Shepparton man with a long history of driving offences could lose his licence for a period of four years.
Maurice Power, 58, appeared at the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for a contest mention after being charged with one count of refusing to provide a sample of oral fluid and one count of driving an unregistered motor vehicle.
A court document read by police prosecutor Sergeant Jo Allen indicated there was a “bit of confusion” when police pulled Mr Power over on Riverview Dr in Kialla on December 27, 2021.
The court heard Power, who was self-represented in court, failed to produce his licence when asked by police but stated he did have one.
After searching for his details in their system for more than an hour, police assumed he was unlicensed while the search also revealed that his car was unregistered.
Power contacted his wife who brought his licence to the scene.
Police eventually found his details in the system and blamed the difficulty on “a glitch”.
He returned a negative alcohol breath test but an oral fluid test allegedly revealed illicit drugs in his system and police told him they were going to impound his vehicle.
The court was told Power allegedly refused to accompany officers to their vehicle for a secondary and more accurate oral fluid test.
The court heard Power argued he didn’t want to leave his car unattended and wanted it “secured” — assuming he was going to be charged.
“That’s all they said — you’ll be charged, nothing else,” Power told the court.
“I was frustrated as well.
“I understand the law is the law.”
Power, said he did not “dispute” he was “drug driving”.
The court was told Power has traffic offences dating back to January 2015.
Magistrate Victoria Campbell told Power he could lose his licence for up to four years and be issued a fine if he were found guilty.
“We’re all just trying to do our job,” Ms Campbell said.
Ms Campbell informed Power more evidence was required to determine his fate.
She adjourned the matter for further contest mention to August.
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