Frankston North man caught driving unlicensed for the 14th time, blames house moving mate
He’s had more than two decades to get his licence but this Frankston North driver simply didn’t bother. Instead the 42-year-old man continually gets behind the wheel, racking up a very long list of unlicensed crimes.
South East
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A 42-year-old who has never held a driving licence has been pinged illegally behind the wheel — for the 14th time.
Frankston Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday that Graeme Hamilton had a lengthy rap sheet which included 10 prior unlicensed driving and three driving while disqualified offences.
Hamilton was facing court on another unlicensed driving charge after police spotted his car reversing a car into a driveway in Exelsior Drive, Frankston North, about 3pm on April 21.
The vehicle had been flagged on the police system and they went to have a chat with the driver.
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Hamilton got out the driver’s side of the car and confessed he had never held a licence.
He told officers he had bought the car just two weeks before and was in the process of applying for a licence but had struggled to get photographic identification for the application.
In court, Hamilton’s defence lawyer said her client, whose car was impounded on the spot, was a disability support pensioner with mental health problems, including anxiety and depression.
She said Hamilton, who pleaded guilty, had been asked to help a friend move house, only driven 100m and was very sorry for his mistake.
The lawyer said Hamilton’s last offence was in 2011 and he had taken taking public transport since this incident.
Hamilton, who served jail time in 2011 for non-driving crimes, stood up in court and promised he would try and get a licence but was advised it might be difficult due to his medical conditions.
Magistrate Julian Ayres said it beggared belief as to why someone who has never held a licence — and someone with an “extensive record” — would have purchased a car in the first place.
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Mr Ayres said the distance travelled was minimal, there was no aggravating factors in his driving behaviour and there had been a long lapse in time since his last crime.
But he said his extensive record was itself an aggravating factor.
“This is about the 15th time you have been dealt with for driving offences,” Mr Ayres said.
“Police know who you are; simply don’t get behind the wheel.”
Hamilton was banned from applying for a licence for four months, convicted and fined $300.