Ringwood Magistrates’ Court: Canadian Phillip Stefanko claims he was profiled during 3am traffic stop

A Canadian tradie and ice hockey player told the court he refused a breath test because he was “profiled” and “not treated like a person” during a 3am traffic stop.

Phillip Stefanko appeared before the Ringwood Magistrate’ Court on Tuesday after refusing a breath test. Picture: Supplied.

A Canadian tradie and ice hockey player claimed he was “profiled” by police when he was asked to take a breath test during a 3am traffic stop.

Phillip Stefanko fronted Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for refusing a breath test on March 4.

He pleaded guilty to refusing the breath test but said he was not treated fairly by police officers.

Stefanko was heading to get food about 3am after playing ice hockey.

Stefanko refused a breath test when he was pulled over on the Burwood Highway. Picture: Supplied.

He abruptly stopped his car at a red light on the Burwood Highway and performed a U-turn before police pulled him over.

After refusing a breath test his keys were confiscated.

Stefanko told the court he was “treated unfairly” during the traffic stop.

“I was profiled,” he said.

“I was not treated like a person.”

“The police kept telling me this isn’t America.”

The police prosecutor said Stefanko was “argumentative and belligerent” during the traffic stop.

The court heard he was slurring his words and smelt strongly of alcohol.

Stefanko accepted this version of events in order to plead guilty, but said he was upset by the encounter with police.

Stefanko’s licence was suspended for two years and he was handed a $300 fine.

When asked by Magistrate Mia Stylianou how this would impact his career as a carpenter, Stefanko said he would be heading back to Canada in two months.