Robert Dawes: Seaford hoon in court over drugs, driving charges
Seaford residents were forced to leap out of the way of this dud driver — who was found with drugs and $3000 cash.
South East
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A sleepy head hoon performed burnouts just metres from pedestrians before dozing off behind the wheel at Seaford, a court has heard.
Robert Dawes, 35, pleaded guilty in the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Thursday over the frightening ride and more drug related crimes on March 31.
The court heard pedestrians were forced to run out of Dawes’ way when his Toyota HiLux came screeching around the corner near Wells Rd about 4.10pm.
Dawes was performing burnouts and braking suddenly, with large plumes of smoke shooting from the car’s tyres.
A witness and police followed Dawes to Overton Rd where he was found slumped over the wheel in a snooze.
Bags of ice were found in Dawes’ car as well as scales, GHB and $3000 cash.
A further search of Dawes’ Somerville property uncovered 12g of ice, 18g of cannabis, scales, GHB and a large sum of cash.
Dawes’ lawyer Brett Barratt said his client — who began using drugs in his 20s — had struggled further with addiction after he was released from prison amid Melbourne’s COVID-19 lockdown in October.
“It’s not an ideal time with a person with an addiction to be released into the community … he was unable to source employment … associating with the wrong people,” Mr Barratt said.
The court heard Dawes, a father of five to two mothers, lost his relationship with his partners and children after he was introduced to the drug ice.
Mr Barratt said Dawes was attempting to visit the ATM to retrieve child support money on the day of his doomed drive.
“(When he first used ice) he was functional and could hold down employment however the criminal behaviour started to increase and he lost work, his relationships and access to his children,” Mr Barratt said.
Dawes, who has spent 57 days in custody at Melbourne Remand Centre, was remanded for sentence on June 2.