A Sandhurst disqualified driver illegally behind the wheel crashed on way to buy Christmas present
He was doing the festive thing by buying Christmas presents, but he didn’t have a driving licence, and crashed in Carrum Downs. He now wishes he had walked to the shops.
South East
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A crash following a Christmas Eve dash to buy a present for his brother-in-law has not only cost a disqualified driver a longer ban, it nearly cost him his liberty.
Robert Varga’s festive goodwill came to a crashing halt at Frankston Magistrates’ Court last Monday, July 15, as he was given community work and another ban.
The court heard Varga was driving in Carrum Downs when a car in front of him indicated to turn right about 1pm on December 24 last year.
Varga was travelling too close and hit the back of the other car, causing major damage to both vehicles. He got out and checked on the other driver, who was uninjured.
Police were called and officers discovered he had been banned from driving on October 26, with his licence cancelled until October, 2020.
Varga told police he couldn’t avoid the accident as the driver in front “stopped to turn unexpectedly”.
He admitted he knew he had been disqualified from driving at the time.
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In court, Varga’s defence lawyer said he was just 400m from home and driving to buy a present for his brother-in-law when the crash happened.
He said his client had since enrolled to do a road trauma awareness course, had significant contrition and realised any driving while disqualified repeat would mean he would end up behind bars.
Magistrate Dominic Lennon said Varga “just ignored the ban” and his bad behaviour only came to light due to the crash.
He said any more driving during the disqualification period would likely result in jail time.
Varga was convicted and placed on a 12-month community corrections order and told to do 100 hours of unpaid work.
He was also banned for another six months on top of his previous cancellation, meaning he is disqualified until April 2021.