Bank worker blames taking ice before driving in Aspendale Gardens on work stress

A bank worker nabbed driving in Aspendale Gardens while high on meth said he used the drug to offset “work stresses at the time”. But a magistrate wasn’t convinced he was off the gear.

A bank worker said his ice use was due to job stress. Stock image

A stressed-out bank worker has claimed his stressful financial job drove him to use ice just half an hour before he got behind the wheel.

The 38-year-old, who works in the anti-money laundering section of the NAB, was pinged drug-driving in Aspendale Gardens in October last year.

He was extremely frank with police when pulled over, openly admitting he had taken the drug just 30 minutes before.

It was the second time in three years he had been nabbed iced-up while driving.

Adam Mitchelmore faced Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on June 3, where he pleaded guilty to failing an oral fluid test.

The court heard he was driving his Holden along Springvale Rd in Aspendale Gardens around 9pm on October 19 last year.

A routine police patrol pulled him up, and, while he tested negative for alcohol, he proved positive for ice.

Mitchelmore’s lawyer said his client, who was supported by his parents in court, was remorseful and had made full admissions to arresting police officers about his drug use.

She said her client took ice due to “work stresses at the time”, but was now seeing a psychologist and had done driver education programs.

She said Mitchelmore “understood the gravity” of his offending and the danger he posed to the community when driving while high on ice.

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Magistrate Jade Bott said there was no material she had seen that convinced her that Mitchelmore was still not using.

Ms Bott said drivers taking drugs such as ice were a considerable risk to other road users.

“Half an hour before he took control of that motor vehicle he consumed drugs,” Ms Bott said.

“He has a prior for this; there is nothing before me that says he is not taking drugs.

“I’m sick and tired of (drug) drivers like you.”

Ms Bott adjourned Mitchelmore’s case for his lawyer to get more material, and bailed him until July 15.