Dandenong’s worst driver abused cocktail of ice, GHB daily, faces more jail time
A County Court judge says she “doesn’t like” the chances of a successful appeal for a man who was dubbed Dandenong’s worst driver. It comes after the drug addict’s ice-fuelled binges and unfortunate past was laid bare.
South East
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A violent thug dubbed one of Dandenong’s “worst drivers” would abuse a cocktail of 7g of ice plus GHB every day, a court has heard.
And the odds of a successful appeal don’t appear to be in Brett Mehana’s favour, with County Court Judge Claire Quin stating she “didn’t like” the defence’s chances.
It comes after Mehana, also known as Brett Andre Mei, was sent to jail in May for a series of driving and breach crimes.
But while on bail after launching an appeal of the length of the term, he went on a rampage at his ex-partner’s house, kicking down her door in a fit of anger on August 3.
On August 21 the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court heard the 32-year-old had a “complete disregard” for rules and was caught behind the wheel while banned 13 times.
Mehana hasn’t held a licence since he lost it for drink driving in 2013, yet continued to drive for work.
Between August 31 and November 19 last year, he was caught driving without a licence in an unregistered car and bearing novelty number plates.
He breached his bail on August 3 when he went to his ex’s home and argued with her before allegedly banging on the door and ripping it off its hinges.
He also has a terrible criminal history, including for violent assaults, and has been in and out of jail over the past few years.
But Mehana’s lawyer said her client had isolated his drug use to a “small amount” of cannabis since mid last year.
She said his offending as an adult was sparked in 2015 as a result of losing his mother and becoming separated from his wife and mother of his four children.
He also attempted to complete a 20-week men’s behaviour program which started in July.
“He became a father at a very young age … he’s in a position now where he has decreased his drug use which has placed him in a position where he is more receptive to engage in a community corrections order,” she said on Tuesday.
Ms Quin said the men’s behaviour change program “didn’t work” for Mehana.
“He’s already done that and it didn’t work … I’m just really not confident that corrections are going to want him,” she told Mehana’s lawyer.
“I don’t like your chances at this stage (from) reading that material.”
Mehana was remanded to be assessed for a community corrections order.
He will return for sentencing on Thursday.
brittany.goldsmith@news.com.au
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