Dandenong Magistrates’ driving shame: Krishanth Ganeshalingam, Ravneet Singh Rupal and Luca Harrowell
A Rowville man has been described as a “menace on the roads” before copping a jail sentence for his “despicable” driving history.
South East
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A man with a significant drink driving history, a man caught speeding with methamphetamines in his system, and a man caught going more than 40 km/h over the speed limit have all fronted Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.
Krishanth Ganeshalingam
A recidivist drink driver returned to Dandenong Magistrates’ Court for the fifth time in a decade on March 29.
Rowville man Krishanth Ganeshalingam pleaded guilty to multiple charges of drink driving, driving while suspended and giving a false name in a police interview.
The court heard police saw Ganeshalingam driving on June 2 in 2022 in an unregistered Honda sedan on Doveton Rd in Doveton.
After intercepting Ganeshalingam at a Doveton address, police found he was unable to provide a licence, and gave them a false name.
The court heard officers later did a search at Ganeshalingam’s Rowville address, where they found a photo of him to check with police records.
Officers found Ganeshalingam correct identity in their records and further, found he was unlicensed.
The court heard his license had expired since March 2022, and had only been renewed after the original interception in June.
At the time of the first interception, the court heard he had been required to undertake a standard breath test, which returned a result of .0109, exceeding the legal limit of 0.00 for unlicensed drivers.
The court heard in an interview with police, Ganeshalingam said he was “just bringing his nephew home”.
He claimed the vehicle belonged to his brother.
The court heard he also had no comment regarding the breath test.
The court heard Ganeshalingam had three pages of priors, including two drink driving charges from 2022, and two from 2012.
Magistrates Anthony Burns told the court he was deciding whether or not to jail Ganeshalingam.
“This is the fifth time in 10 years,” he said.
“The question I have to grapple with is to jail or not to jail.”
The court heard Ganeshalingam had been “going through a rough time”, as he was caring for his mother with brain cancer.
The court heard Ganeshalingam had also stopped drinking, and had begun using a bike to get around, rather than driving.
His lawyer told the court Ganeshalingam did not have a problem with alcohol, that he “drinks to alleviate stress.”
Magistrate Burns was not convinced.
“Your driving history is terrible,” he said to Ganeshalingam.
“You’re a menace on the roads. You’re a danger to yourself and to everyone else.
“To be before the court five times in 10 years for drink driving is despicable.”
Magistrate Burns sentenced Ganeshalingam to a 20-month licence suspension with conviction and a $500 fine for driving unlicensed.
He also sentenced Ganeshalingam to six months in prison over the drink driving charges and for giving the police a false name.
Ganeshalingam was taken into custody from Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.
Ravneet Singh Rupal
A Geelong man has fronted court over driving under the influence and speeding in Cardinia.
Ravneet Singh Rupal pleaded guilty to two charges on March 29, after being caught driving at 98km/h in a 60 km/h zone in September last year.
The court heard police witnessed Rupal driving on Dalmore Rd near Ballarto Rd at 3.05pm on September 24.
The court heard Rupal was intercepted by police, who confirmed his identity and required him to undertake a breath test and an oral fluid test.
Rupal’s oral fluid test returned a positive result for methamphetamines.
The court heard during an interview with police, Rupal admitted to using marijuana the evening before being stopped.
When asked why he was driving with methamphetamines in his system, the court heard he “didn’t think it would affect his driving”.
When asked why he was speeding, the court heard Rupal “didn’t check” his speedometer.
Magistrate Anthony Burns questioned Rupal over his priors.
“Why are you still drug driving having already done this before?” he asked.
Rupal told the court at both times of his offending he had been going through “a rough time.”
“It was a big mistake,” he said.
“I was going through a hard time and I made a wrong step. I’m deeply sorry for that.”
Rupal said offending again was the “biggest mistake of his life”.
Magistrate Burns told the court even if he wanted to make a different decision, the law required he cancel Rupal’s licence.
“Unfortunately the law advises me to cancel and disqualify your license,” he said.
“Because you have a prior, the mandatory minimum is 12 months for drug driving and a minimum of six months for your speeding.”
The court heard Magistrate Burns make some of the sentence concurrent.
“You’re disqualified for 15 months from midnight tonight, giving you time to drive home,” he said.
“I’m also fining you with conviction $750. If I had discretion I would probably have exercised in your favour, but I don’t.”
“The law sets a mandatory minimum for first and subsequent offences.”
Luca Harrowell
A Mornington Peninsula man has pleaded guilty after he was caught doing 40km.h above the speed limit on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway.
Luca Harrowell, 20, fronted Dandenong Magistrates’ Court after being pinged at 121km/z in an 80 zone in on March 7 last year.
The court heard highway patrol officers nailed Harrowell as he turned off the Dingley Bypass into the Mornington Peninsula Freeway.
Harrowell, driving a green Commodore wagon, increased speed once he was on the busy freeway, the court was told.
The court heard police then activated sirens and lights and intercepted Harrowell, who was on a probationary licence at the time.
Officers fined him $722 on the spot.
The court heard despite his speed, Harrowell had been co-operative with police and was surprised he was going that quickly.
Harrowell had been on the way home from picking up someone from the airport at the time of his offending.
The court heard since the offending and his subsequent loss of license, Harrowell had sold the Commodore, opting for a diesel Nissan Patrol.
Magistrate Burns had mercy for Harrowell, due to his co-operation with police.
“I’m going to make your licence loss a suspension rather than a cancellation, and put you on a good behaviour bond,” he said.
“I’m sure you’re a good bloke, you just drove too fast on this occasion.”
Magistrate Burns ordered Harrowell to complete a road trauma seminar as part of his good behaviour.
“Obviously no doubt you now understand the perils of driving too fast,” he said.
“You’ll have a six-month suspension without conviction and with no demerit points connected to the penalty, and you’ll complete a road trauma seminar.”
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