Nikola Coffey and James Smith front Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court
A heavily pregnant woman has been busted buying a car kitted out with a turbo that she took for high-speed spin — minus several important documents.
South East
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A heavily pregnant woman caught speeding in a new turbo car and a man who ripped off a small phone repairs business have all fronted a court in Melbourne’s southeast.
Nikola Coffey
Coffey pleaded guilty to eight traffic offences, after being caught speeding in an unregistered turbo car in 2021, while heavily pregnant.
Ms Coffey, 38, did not appear in court on November 18, and was instead represented by her husband, Andrew.
The court heard the woman had purchased a car with a turbo shortly before driving it unlicensed and unregistered, all while speeding.
Mr Coffey said his wife’s decision making had been affected at the time of offending.
“She was heavily pregnant at the time, and she purchased the car without me knowing Your Honour,” he said.
“She has since refrained from driving that car, and we have registered the car and updated her licence details with VicRoads.”
Magistrate David Starvaggi fined Ms Coffey $500 with no conviction.
James Smith
A man has pleaded guilty to one charge of obtaining financial advantage through deception, after cutting and running from a mobile phone repairs business, rather than paying the $349 charge.
James Smith told the court his life had “drastically changed” since the incident in March.
“It was a long time ago, I’ve been in and out of prison, my life has drastically changed since then,” he said.
After taking his phone into the local business, Smith was quoted $349 to repair its smashed screen.
He returned the following day on March 30, to pick up his phone but failed to pay.
Smith told the witness he did not have enough cash to pay for the repairs, and would need to use his phone to transfer some money.
Once he had his phone, Smith made a phone call, lasting about five minutes, before another customer entered the store.
While the customer was talking to the shop attendant, Smith walked out of the business and ran across the street.
Police only caught up with him two months later, when he was arrested at his home for a separate matter.
Magistrate Starvaggi ordered Smith to pay $349 compensation to the business, and slapped him with a $200 fine with conviction.
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