Paul Hatton, Lauren George and Olivia di Mauro in Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court for driving offences

A woman had been drinking on an empty stomach when she got behind the wheel. She’s just one of the drivers to face court this week.

An ex-safety officer for Victoria Police, a woman who had a few too many wines on an empty stomach and a woman afraid of being rear ended by a truck have all fronted Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court.

An ex-safety officer for Victoria Police, a woman who had a few too many wines on an empty stomach and a woman afraid of being rear ended by a truck have all fronted Moorabbin Court.

Just two glasses lands woman over the limit

A woman has told the court she blew double the legal alcohol limit because she’d been “drinking on an empty stomach”.

Lauren George pleaded guilty in Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on July 11, after being caught drink-driving by a booze bus.

The court heard George had been required to undergo a standard breath test at a pop-up booze bus on June 22 last year

George returned a reading of 0.106, causing her licence to be immediately suspended for 10 months.

When asked why she had been drink driving, George told police she’d had two glasses of pinot gris on an empty stomach.

In court on Tuesday, George told the court she was extremely remorseful for her actions.

“I would like to apologise to the court, my family and friends for my actions,” she said.

“I’m very ashamed.”

George told the court she had suffered with anxiety and depression over the last two years, but knew it wasn’t an excuse.

“I made a very poor decision,” she said.

“Since then, I’ve had a distinct mental decline, I’ve lost my job and I’ve had to move back into my parents’ home.”

George told the court she was still out of work and taking the matter “very seriously”.

Magistrate Frances Medina said she was “impressed” by George’s submissions.

“You haven’t been to court before, I know it’s very overwhelming,” she said.

“It’s an absolute credit to you how you’ve conducted yourself and submitted your submissions on your own behalf today.

“You’re quite an impressive young woman.”

Ms Medina said that people should take their responsibility as drivers seriously.

“You’ve made a poor choice to yourself, but it’s the other people on the road that don’t have a choice,” she said.

“It’s quite a selfish and irresponsible choice, but I’m impressed with your presentation to the court, you obviously are taking this very seriously.”

Ms Medina sentenced George with an undertaking for 12 months without conviction.

“You’re a young person before the court, and you’ve acknowledged your responsibility,” she said.

“I can see you’re strongly engaging with your rehabilitation, you’ve been articulate and poised today.”

George was required to pay a $200 donation to the court fund.

Previous crash leaves red light runner terrified

A woman caught going through a red light has told a court she was “afraid the truck behind her would rear end her”.

Olivia di Mauro pleaded guilty in Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on July 11 after being snapped by a red light camera going through an intersection in Oakleigh East.

The court heard di Mauro was captured entering a Dandenong Rd intersection on August 3 last year just 0.9 seconds after the light had turned red.

In court on Tuesday, di Mauro tearfully explained herself to Magistrate Frances Medina.

“I’d had an accident a few weeks prior to the incident, where I was stopped at a red light, and a truck went up the back of me” she said.

“There was a truck at these lights, and I was scared it was going to happen again.”

Ms Medina told the retail worker it was “concerning” that she was so panicked over a truck being behind her.

“It’s obviously a little concerning that any time a truck is behind you, you might panic,” she said.

“Red signals are there for a reason, so if you don’t have the time to safely proceed, preferably on a green arrow, the law expects you to stop.”

Ms Medina took into account di Mauro’s age, history and the context of the offending.

“You’re a young person coming before the court for the first time, and after you’ve been struck by a truck previously, it would be alarming,” she said.

“I’m placing you on an undertaking without conviction for 12 months.”

Di Mauro was also required to make a $200 donation to the court fund.

Former police worker caught running red light

A retired OH&S Officer from Victoria Police has lent his experience to a courtroom after being snapped going through a red light in Highett.

Paul Hatton pleaded guilty in Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on July 11 over going through a red light on Nepean Hwy in August last year.

The traffic camera caught Hatton travelling on the busy thoroughfare before entering an intersection 1.6 seconds after the light had turned red.

In court on Tuesday, Hatton explained himself to the magistrate.

“As you can see from the photos, there was a larger vehicle in front of me, and it was blocking the northbound lanes of the Nepean Highway,” he said.

“I’ve been a safety officer with Victoria Police for 25 years, from my experience, if there are trucks or SUVs in front of you, as you approach the intersection you actually can’t see the traffic lights.”

Hatton told the court he was remorseful for his actions, and said his previous driving record spoke for itself.

“I’m not a recidivist going around breaking the rules,” he said.

“I’ve been in law enforcement for many years and for that reason I’m asking for no conviction.”

Magistrate Frances Medina took into account everything Hatton had presented to the court.

“Considering your evidence, and your extended good history and character, I’m going to dismiss the charge,” she said.

“You’re free to leave Mr Hatton.”