Driver blamed drunk mate and a broken car as reasons why he was caught twice driving while serving a two-year ban for police pursuit
A Dandenong North driver knew he was banned but still got behind the wheel. His “silly excuses” of driving a drunk mate and getting his car fixed did not impress when he had to front court.
South East
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A dodgy driver who failed in a bid to get his licence back has blamed a drunk mate and a broken car as reasons why he was twice nabbed behind the wheel while banned.
Sammy Idris was supposed to be serving a long disqualification for a police pursuit but instead of abiding by the rules he got caught driving illegally on two occasions.
The 26-year-old from Dandenong North appeared at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Monday in an attempt to get his licence back.
The court heard Idris had been given a two-year ban in August 2018 after he was nabbed by cops after a short chase.
He said he led police on the “dumb” pursuit because he was “fearful” that he would end up going to jail as he was unlicensed at the time.
But the Swinburne Business and IT student simply didn’t learn his lesson.
He said the first time he got caught was when he had gone out with a mate and ended up nominating himself as the designated driver.
“I was aware (of the disqualification), it was a Saturday night at a party,” Idris said.
“My mate was drunk, too drunk, I made the decision to drive.
“I got pulled over on the freeway, I was speeding, doing 90 in an 80 zone.”
The second incident he said he couldn’t easily recall, but after a long pause said he was driving to get his car fixed.
He said he had done a road trauma awareness course, but hadn’t brought the paperwork to the hearing.
Magistrate Andrew Halse said Idris, who has six pages of driving priors, needs to give up on “silly excuses”.
“At a time you weren’t meant to be driving you were caught going to get your car fixed,” Mr Halse said.
“The other time you drove your drunk friend home; you should have got an Uber, walked or stayed there.
“You’re not going to get it today, it is very difficult for me to give you your licence back when during a period of disqualification you were caught twice.”
Mr Halse told Idris not to drive while banned again or he would run the risk of going behind bars.
“Rather than getting a degree, driving around and doing what you want, you might find yourself locked up,” he said.
“If you don’t breach what is left of your corrections order, then I will revisit your application.”
His case was adjourned until November 9.
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