Syrian migrant George David warned he risks deportation by driving unlicensed again
A Syrian migrant, caught driving unlicensed in Roxburgh Park just days after he promised a court he wouldn’t, has been given a stark warning he could end up back in the war-torn country if he gets caught behind the wheel without a licence again.
North West
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A magistrate has warned a Syrian migrant he could end up back in the war-torn country if he gets caught driving without a licence again.
George David, 33, who arrived in Australia in 2016 on a sponsored family visa, was caught unlicensed behind the wheel on Somerton Rd, just 11 days after he had promised a court he wouldn’t drive.
David, with the help of an interpreter, pleaded guilty at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on November 26.
The court heard David pulled out in front of police from Roxburgh Park Drive about 11.15pm on May 27 this year.
Police conducted a routine intercept but when David was unable to produce a valid licence officers discovered he didn’t have one.
He told police, through an interpreter, he was aware he was not allowed to drive but said he was new to Australia, didn’t “know the rules” and that a friend asked him to drive.
Magistrate Abigail Burchill slammed the demolition worker’s decision to get behind the wheel given he had only been just been put on an court undertaking not to drive until he was licenced.
“You promised the court you were not going to drive,” she said.
“You are risking everything, you’ll end up back in Syria.”
Under section 501 of the Commonwealth Migration Act, the Home Affairs Minister or his delegate can refuse or cancel a visa based on character grounds, which includes a person with a substantial criminal record, such as a prison sentence of 12 months or more.
Ms Burchill said she would give David one more chance to abide by the road rules.
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“You can go to jail for this,” she told him.
“People go to jail for what you’re pleading guilty to.
“People who put themselves above the law, they put themselves in a category where they can expect harsh punishment.”
David was given a four month good behaviour bond without a conviction.
He is booked in at VicRoads to complete a licence test early next year.