A racist rant, a crash dispute and a too-tired whinge were all heard at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.
At Dandenong Magistrates’ Court “vile” texts land a bus driver in trouble, a distracted driver blames her poor English for refusing to swap details in a crash and an insomniac pleads with the magistrate to get out of doing community work.
South East
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Racist rants land bus driver in hot water
A bus driver who texted “vile, racist” messages to his union colleague has paid a heavy price, losing his job, his self-worth and a lot of money.
The 56-year-old texted the victim three times over three years, each time threatening him in “vile, racist” ways, the court heard.
The texts were not aired publicly, but they were described as “very offensive”.
The Pakenham bus driving union delegate had a long-running disagreement over union plans and negotiations with the other man. In December 2017, June 2018 and for a third time on April 10 last year he sent the horrible messages to the victim, who finally reported it to police.
The man – who was himself the victim of racist abuse when he arrived from Iran as a migrant – lost his job as a depot manager. He has since got another position at a different bus company but that is also under a cloud and is up for review.
His defence lawyer said his client, who had no criminal priors or had any disciplinary action for workplace bullying, was deeply embarrassed and apologetic, and accepted “there was no place for that kind of language”.
The magistrate said it was vile offending, but his lack or priors, remorse and otherwise good character were factors in his favour.
He was placed on a Commonwealth bond for two years on a surety of $1000. He was also ordered to pay $750 to the court fund. No conviction was recorded.
Language barrier
An inattentive driver who failed to give way at an intersection and then failed to give her details has blamed her error on “a language barrier”.
The 50-year-old unemployed mother of three had dropped off her children at school just before 9am in Dandenong North on May 28 last year when she failed to see the other car and crashed into it.
Minor damage was caused to both vehicles, although no-one was injured. Both drivers got out, but the Dandenong woman refused to provide her name and address, instead ringing her husband. He arrived and he also failed to give the innocent victim any personal details, and they drove off.
In court the woman’s defence lawyer said the Chinese immigrant panicked because she had difficulties with the English language. She was given a six-month bond and ordered to pay $200 to the court fund.
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Too tired for community work
A crim given a corrections order for disobeying road rules has tried to get out of doing community work because he says he is too tired.
The man asked the court to remove his 100 hours of unpaid work requirement because he has a sleeping disorder.
But he didn’t have any medical proof, nor any letters from his treating doctors. He has also not completed all of his other programs, including a mental health course and road safety project.
He was told to come back to court next month and bring proof of his ailment and his application will then be reconsidered