Nabil Maghnie’s son AJ fronts Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court

The son of a murdered Melbourne underworld figure has fronted court over a series of offences. His lawyer says he has suffered “significant trauma”.

Abbas Junior Maghnie lost his father in January.

The son of a murdered Melbourne underworld figure has fronted court over a series of offences, including drink-driving while on a disqualified probationary licence.

Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court heard this morning 23-year-old Abbas Junior Maghnie, ‘AJ’ pleaded guilty after he was caught drink-driving on Dalton Rd, Lalor on March 24, 2019 while his probationary licence was suspended, returning a BAC reading of .03.

Nabil Maghnie, Abbas Junior Maghnie’s father, was murdered in January.

Weeks earlier on March 1, when his licence had already been suspended, police saw him driving a friend’s Porsche as he towed a boat up St Kilda boat ramp and through the streets.

The boat was not tied down and contained two passengers — one of whom which jumped from the moving vehicle, the court heard.

Maghnie drove on the wrong side of the lanes in the boat ramp carpark before police arrested him and impounded the Porsche.

The court heard Maghnie pleaded guilty at a hearing in November.

The court heard he had previously faced charges for drug and driving-related offences, including drug driving and repeatedly driving on a disqualified licence.

Magistrate Stephen Ballek noted Maghnie had “a significant drug history”.

But the court heard he had only tested positive to anxiety medication since being bailed.

Maghnie’s lawyer, Mr Melasecca, told the court it was “astounding” his client only had anxiety considering his difficult circumstances, pointing out his family had suffered “significant trauma” while he was on bail.

MORE: THE ‘CANCER ON SOCIETY’ THAT’S OVERTAKEN DRINK-DRIVING

‘VERY BAD’: PARTYGOERS RUN WILD AT RINGWOOD AIRBNB PARTY

BLACKBURN SHOPS SYRINGES FIND SPARKS DRUG FEARS

“Dad has now died,” Mr Melasecca said.

Mr Melasecca said when the crimes were committed, “Dad had already been shot twice”, and Maghnie himself had already been involved in a car accident.

Mr Melasecca said as the eldest male in his family, Maghnie was now responsible for helping his mother run their trucking logistics company.

“Keeping the trucks on the road is the future of this young man,” he said.

“It falls upon him as much as he can to look after his mum and younger siblings.”

Maghnie’s sentencing was adjourned until he could be assessed for a Community Corrections Order on Tuesday, February 25.

But Magistrate Ballek said he could not expect to keep his licence.