Man who drove twice while unlicensed in 10 days racked up 54 demerit points on P-plates
A driver nabbed driving while unlicensed twice within 10 days in Skye and Baxter has been slammed by a magistrate, who says the P-plater’s history behind the wheel was the worst he had seen for a 21-year-old.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A prolific penalty-procuring P-plater has racked up 54 points, drove unlicensed twice within 10 days and failed to do a drug course.
The 21-year-old had gone “platinum” on the demerits system, a magistrate said, notching up the most penalties he had ever seen for such a young driver.
Aaron Bourke faced Frankston Magistrates’ Court yesterday on two unlicensed driving charges.
The court heard police were patrolling Wedge Rd in Skye when they came across Bourke’s car about 3.30pm on March 12.
They pulled him over and he produced his P-plate licence, but it had been cancelled in November, 2018 because he did not do a drug course after failing an oral fluid test.
Bourke told officers he was aware he was banned but drove anyway because he needed to get home from work.
Yet, just 10 days later, he was stopped on Sages Rd, Baxter. He offered up the same excuse but this time his car was impounded.
The court heard Bourke had amassed 54 demerit points in his short driving career, a drug drive on his rap sheet and been caught driving while suspended or unlicensed four times.
Bourke’s lawyer said the Cranbourne concreter, an expectant father in mid-December, had taken steps to deal with his drug issues and “turned a new leaf”.
She said her client – who pleaded guilty to both charges – had booked in to do the drug course and was committed to applying to get his licence back when legally able to.
She said his partner now drove him or he received lifts from colleagues to and from worksites.
Magistrate Julian Ayres referred to the “golden point” system where a driver can elect to go on a one-point bond program promising not to reoffend or risk a longer licence loss.
“He’s had over 50 demerit points; that’s not golden, it’s platinum,” Mr Ayres said.
“It’s a bit early to tell if he has turned a new leaf, these offences were only six months ago.
“He can’t drive while he’s not allowed to, it’s as simple as that.”
MORE NEWS
'COOL' BURNOUT TEEN A DRINK-DRIVING DANGER
BANNED MUM DROVE SCARED-OF-DARK DAUGHTER
THIEF FORGOT HE STOLE TRAILERS, CARAVAN
Mr Ayres warned Bourke any further driving while unlicensed would likely impact his soon-to-be family in a very bad way.
“You have got big responsibilities coming up, don’t jeopardise that by risking jail, don’t jeopardise your ability to be a father,” he said.
Bourke was disqualified from applying for a licence for nine months, convicted and fined $800.