Shayne Johnson guilty to possession and drug driving after police bust him with heroin in Springvale

A Dandenong chippy with a “big criminal history” has been busted by cops with heroin and meth while behind the wheel.

Shayne Johnson, 45, pleaded guilty to heroin possession, failing oral fluid test with meth in system and driving with drugs in his system.

A Dandenong chippy who racked up a 26 page rap sheet in two years has returned to court after cops busted him drug driving.

Shayne Johnson, 45, pleaded guilty in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on November 13 to heroin possession, driving while under the influence of drugs and for failing an oral fluid test.

The court heard Johnson was intercepted by police in Springvale in November last year, where he returned a positive oral fluid test for methamphetamines.

He was stopped a second time in Springvale in December 2023, where cops searched his car and found two zip lock bags with 0.5g of heroin inside.

Johnson told cops he “didn’t know” the bags were in the car.

“They must have been left in there,” he said.

After being intercepted by cops, a car search revealed Johnson was in the possession of heroin.

On Wednesday, Johnson told the court he had started using heroin during his time working as a qualified carpenter in 2014, when his criminal offending started.

“You’ve amassed 26 pages of offending in just two years,” Magistrate Frances Medina said.

“You have such a big history in terms of pages but over a short period of time.

“I’m concerned for you, for the drugs creeping back in – your history is telling me you’re someone who is troubled.”

Ms Medina said Johnson was in a unique position because he had “skills to fall back on”.

“You’re qualified to work, you’ve got skills,” she said.

“A lot of people who come into court with struggles and addictions don’t have the skills to fall back on.

“That will help you to move forward strongly.”

Ms Medina cancelled Johnson’s licence for 12 months and fined $1000 with conviction.