Febin Francis Manappatu pleads guilty to speeding at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court

A young Melbourne support worker clocked doing 160km/h on his way to the gym has been told he could go to jail for his “suicidal behaviour”.

Febin Francis Manappatu pleads guilty to speeding at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court.

A young support worker clocked doing 160km/h on his way to the gym has been told he could go to jail for his “suicidal behaviour”.

Febin Francis Manappatu, 22, appeared in Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty speeding and driving without rear “p” plate displayed.

In April 2023, Manappatu was riding his motorcycle on the Western Metropolitan Ring Rd, Campbellfield when police observed his erratic overtaking and started following him.

Manappatu drove into West St, Hadfield, where he sped through a roundabout doing 120km/h in a 50km/h zone.

Manappatu, an NDIS support worker, then zoomed through Edgars Rd in Thomastown, doing 160km/h in a 100km/h zone.

When pulled over, Manappatu said he was driving to his gym and claimed he was unaware of his speeding.

Manappatu’s defence lawyer said his client had no driving priors and was “remorseful”.

“He lives with his parents. He has gained employment as a support worker and is not earning good money yet.”

Manappatu’s lawyer said his client’s speeding was a “lapse in judgement”, and he was “vulnerable” because of his mental health.

But Magistrate John Hardy said it was impossible Manappatu did not know he was “flying past” vehicles.

“Speeding on a motorbike is suicidal behaviour … It’s pure dumb luck (he is alive),” he said.

“He is only vulnerable because he rides his motorbike at such a high speed.

“It’s way too high. I’m staggered; it’s a terrifying speed.”

Manappatu’s lawyer asked the court to consider an adjourned undertaking and a community corrections order, but Mr Hardy said there was “no way”.

“I am really wondering if your parents know about this because they are not here and these charges can see you go to jail,” he said.

“Part of my role as a magistrate is, on some occasions, I am also a coroner … I attended a fatal crash where the bodies were still there, and one motorcyclist was driving at the same speed you were.

“He lost control, hit a tree and his body was torn in half. I wonder how your parents would deal with seeing your body torn into pieces if you were in that situation.

“If you want to do this kind of speed, get a competition licence and do it with some safety, not on the road.”

Manappatu was convicted, fined $1750, had his licence cancelled and disqualified for 15 months.