Narre Warren South plasterer Ryan Smith’s 4-year ban for drug driving in Hallam
A father did his daughter’s boyfriend a favour, lending him his car. But the Narre Warren South plasterer repaid his gratitude by having the vehicle impounded. Now he’s lost his licence — again.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A dangerous, drugged-up and disqualified driver who also refused to take a breath test has been banned from getting behind the wheel for four years.
Ryan Peter Smith was driving his father-in-law’s car when he was nabbed going the wrong way up a Hallam road in the early hours of the morning.
Another time he was driving while disqualified while high on ice.
The 32-year-old Narre Warren South plasterer pleaded guilty to five charges at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
He also admitted breaching a community corrections order.
At around 4am on September 25 last year a police patrol saw Smith’s car going the wrong way along Hallam North Rd in Hallam.
They activated lights and sirens and Smith pulled over, stopping around 50m from the Princes Highway intersection but still facing oncoming traffic.
He appeared confused, had a red face and was sweating profusely.
He was asked repeatedly to take a breath test, but refused, saying “I haven’t done anything wrong”.
He was arrested and the car, belonging to his girlfriend’s dad, was impounded for 30 days.
This was his second run-in with the law in a matter of months.
At around 4pm on May 21 last year Smith was pulled over by police on Monahans Rd in Cranbourne.
He passed a breath test, but failed a drug sample, proving positive for ice.
He admitted he didn’t have a licence, saying he was helping a friend get to hospital, but would not comment on why he had drugs in his system.
His defence lawyer said Smith would do his time off the road hard, considering he had set up a new business and had a young family, including a six-week-old child.
She said since his offending last year he had drug treatment and attended mental health counselling.
She said he was now sober, had clean drug screens, and had “turned his life around”.
Magistrate Julie O’Donnell said it had been a while since his crimes and he had not committed any offences since.
But any lapse now could, and likely would, mean he ended up behind bars.
“These are absolutely jailable offences,” Ms O’Donnell said.
“If you drive while disqualified the risk of you going to jail is high.”
Smith was disqualified from driving for four years, convicted and fined $2000.
MORE COURT NEWS
GRIEF-STRICKEN DRUGGIE FOUND WITH ICE, GHB AFTER K9 CHASE