Mildura business owner Mandeep Kaur argues with magistrate over vehicle impoundment

A Mildura truckie caught drink driving has argued with a magistrate over whether his car should have been locked up. Find out what happened.

A drunk driver, who blew almost four times the legal limit, has argued with a Mildura magistrate over the impoundment of his car.

The Mildura Magistrate’s Court this week heard local business owner and truckie Mandeep Kaur had his car impounded after he was caught drink driving.

On Sunday, February 5, Kaur was spotted by a number of eyewitnesses driving erratically before colliding with a stop sign, the court heard.

Upon police arriving at the scene, Kaur blew 0.19 on a breath test, causing him to have his license cancelled and his vehicle impounded for the next month.

In court this week, Kaur applied to have his car returned so his sister, a home care worker, could drive it for work.

Mildura business owner Mandeep Kaur faced court over his impounded vehicle.

“She’s struggling so much right now,” Kaur said, adding she had a very quick turnaround between clients, and it was very hard for her at the moment.

However, Magistrate Patrick Southey refused the application, stating that exceptional hardship needed to be proven.

“You’ve got to show exceptional hardship, and I’m not persuaded that you have, I’m afraid,” he said.

Kaur was not happy with the decision and was having mental health issues.

“If some wrong happens, who is responsible if these things are encouraging me to (self harm)?” he said.

“I’m so stressed right now I haven’t showered in four days.”

Despite Kaur’s comments, Mr Southey stood by his ruling, and the police prosecutors reminded Kaur he could get his car back in March.

Kaur will return to court at a later date on the drink driving charge.

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