Anei Anei, Adam Guce and Johnathon Sharma front Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court

Unlicensed driving, drink driving, unregistered cars, speeding. It’s been another week of shame for motorists at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court.

Leader was in court to cover all the latest goings - and it was full of motorists behaving badly. Picture by Wayne Taylor.

Anei Anei

A Chelsea man has pleaded guilty to speeding while driving unlicensed and to a second charge of assault, following a tiff with his brother.

Anei Anei, 24, fronted Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on February 23, pleading guilty to driving unlicensed and speeding, after being busted by police.

The court heard police were alerted to Anei’s driving on September 22 last year, when they saw him travelling 93km/h in an 80km/h zone.

Officers pulled Anei over in Moorabbin, and the court heard he produced a false learner’s permit.

The court heard police could not verify his identity through the permit, after which Anei said he had a suspended P2 licence.

Police impounded his car for 30 days, his licence was cancelled and he was banned from obtaining a licence for 12 months.

The court heard Anei had given no reason for either driving disqualified or for speeding.

Anei also pleaded guilty to assaulting his brother in early 2022.

The court heard emergency services were called to a Chelsea address on March 29 just after midnight, following a physical altercation between the two men.

Anei had dragged his brother to the floor, where they were wrestling until their father intervened.

The court heard police attended to assist in separating the two brothers, when Anei then struck an officer.

He was arrested and taken to St Vincent’s for treatment before being interviewed.

Anei’s lawyer, Jonathan Brancato said he had “no recollection of how it escalated so quickly”.

“He recalls he and his brother were wrestling, and it just escalated,” Mr Brancato said.

“When he saw the police, he saw red, panicked and tried to flee.”

Mr Brancato said Anei had not realised the police were there to assist in calming the situation down, rather than arresting him.

“He now has a much better relationship with his family,” Mr Brancato said.

“His brother and father live in a different home to Mr Anei and his mother due to the intervention order in place.”

Mr Brancato told the court Anei had suffered an injury, leaving him unable to work, causing his alcohol and drug intake to increase.

“Mr Anei was in a jet ski accident, leaving his dominant side injured. He was unable to work and was bored,” Mr Brancato said.

“His alcohol and cannabis intake at this time increased significantly, which affected his mood at the time of the altercation with his brother.”

Mr Brancato asked Magistrate Steven Raleigh for a community corrections order and a treatment plan for Anei’s drug use.

“I’m happy to go ahead with that if he is eligible for a CCO,” Magistrate Raleigh said.

Anei will appear back in Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on Monday April 27 to be sentenced.

Adam Guce

A Mordialloc man pleaded guilty in Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court after being caught driving unlicensed in an unregistered car.

Adam Guce, 31, was caught in Braeside on September 16 last year.

The court heard Guce pleaded guilty on February 23, saying he “didn’t realise his licence was still suspended”.

Guce had his licence suspended on June 29 2021 for three months due to an accumulation of demerit points.

The court heard Guce had not realised he had to go through a process to reclaim his licence after three months, just assuming it would “renew itself”.

Guce’s lawyer Adrian Dessi said Guce now understands that is not how the process works.

“He thought he could drive again after 3 months,” Mr Dessi said.

“He now understands that if your licence is cancelled, it doesn’t mean you can immediately drive after the disqualification period.”

The court heard police had originally pulled Guce over due to the car being unregistered.

When Guce was asked about the car’s registration, the court was told he had “just purchased it”.

“I’d just bought the car, I thought it was all paid up,” Guce said.

Guce’s car was impounded for 30 days. and his licence was disqualified for a further 12 months.

Magistrate Raleigh ordered Guce to also pay a $750 fine with conviction.

“Mr Guce, if you offend in this way again, it’s likely that you’ll be put in prison,” Magistrate Raleigh said.

“Do not drive without a licence.”

Johnathon Sharma

A man has pleaded guilty to drink driving and using his phone while at the wheel.

Johnathan Sharma, 21, was busted by police in East Malvern on October 1 last year.

The court heard Sharma was pulled over at 1.11am on Burke Rd, after police saw him typing on his phone at a traffic light.

Sharma was on a P1 licence at the time.

The court heard police suspected he was alcohol affected during the stop, and carried out a breath test.

Sharma told officers at the time he had consumed two schooners of beer an hour prior, before he returned a breath test reading of .121.

The court heard officers asked Sharma why he was drink driving and using his phone while driving.

He said, “I just want to see my missus,” the court was told.

“She was showing me something on the phone.”

In the traffic stop, police also noticed Sharma’s four wheels were not in the roadworthy standard.

Sharma’s car was impounded for 30 days, and received a defect notice.

The court heard he also received a 12-month license disqualification.

Sharma was also represented by Mr Dessi, who asked Magistrate Raleigh to avoid a conviction.

“Your Honour, this is the first time Mr Sharma is fronting court and he is unlikely to offend again,” Mr Dessi said.

“His family has been assisting him so he avoids driving, they are taking this very seriously.”

The court heard Sharma’s parents had collected the car immediately after its impoundment, replaced all the wheels, made sure it was roadworthy and sold it shortly after.

“Mr Sharma’s father is a cabinet maker, where he also works,” Mr Dessi said.

“He is able to go to work with his dad. He also has strong family support to make sure he doesn’t continue to make wrong or bad decisions.”

Magistrate Raleigh suspended Sharma from driving for 12 months.

“I don’t normally do this Mr Sharma, but I’m going to give you a fine of $900 without a conviction,” Magistrate Raleigh said.

“Considering the strength of your family’s support, it’s clear you and they are taking this seriously.”

“That is the only reason I’m not sentencing you with conviction.”

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