Troy Inwood, Georgio Giannoulas, Christine Blackett, Luke Bugeja and more front Dandenong Magistrates’ Court
A disability care student, a kindergarten teacher, a father of two and a gardener have made up the colourful list of driving fiends in a Melbourne court.
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Among the long list of speedsters and drug drivers to front Dandenong Magistrates’ Court this week, a gardener, a father of two and a kindergarten teacher feature in our latest court wrap
Luke Bugeja
A father of two has appeared in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court for refusing to undertake an oral fluid test after he was caught driving unlicensed.
Luke Bugeja, 30, fronted court on April 3 after being caught driving without a license, in an unroadworthy car and for refusing to undertake an oral fluid examination.
The court heard Bugeja had previously lost his licence for driving with illicit drugs in his system in November 2021.
The court heard officers saw Bugeja driving on Racecourse Rd in Pakenham where they conducted a random breath test and an oral fluid test, with the test revealing a positive result.
The court heard Bugeja denied having consumed drugs, before admitting the last time he’d taken drugs had been at “brekky”.
When asked what drugs he’d consumed, Bugeja said he’d “smoked two cones at home,” the court was told.
Bugeja’s admission was consistent with the oral fluid test result, which had indicated he had cannabis in his system.
The court heard Bugeja had been on his way back from driving to Berwick Hospital to “assist a friend.” His licence was suspended for 12 months from January 2021.
Following this Bugeja was caught driving unlicensed in Pakenham on April 4, 2021.
The court heard Bugeja was seen by police driving a Holden station wagon with his partner and children inside.
Officers pulled Bugeja over, as the windscreen of the car was cracked and the bonnet was visibly damaged.
After a breath test returned a negative result, Bugeja refused to undertake a further oral fluid test.
The court heard police were able to confirm his identity using the name and address Bugeja provided, and also confirmed he was driving unlicensed in an unroadworthy car.
When asked if he knew of his licence status, the court heard Bugeja told police he wasn’t certain.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure,” he said.
“I think I’m suspended.”
The court heard Bugeja told police he had been taking his children and partner to the park for Easter.
Magistrate Kilias told Bugeja that “his hands were tied”.
“I’m taking into account how massive this loss will be, and that you paid close to $900 to get your car out of the impoundment,” he said.
“I’ve lessened your fine to $400, because of the significant time you’ll have to lose your licence for.”
Magistrate Kilias sentenced Bugeja to four years off the road.
“You’ve failed an oral fluid test in 2020 where your licence was cancelled to 12 months, I’m going to make this simultaneous to the four years,” he said.
“Otherwise I’m making no other orders on the license.”
“The four years off the road speaks for itself really, it’s a significant period off the road.”
Troy Inwood
A 35-year-old gardener has fronted court for the ninth time over driving offences after indulging in a post work smoke.
Troy Inwood pleaded guilty in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on April 3 to three charges including driving a motorcycle unlicensed, refusing to undergo an oral fluid test and for driving an unregistered vehicle.
The court heard Inwood had been pulled over by police on November 11 in 2021 on the Dandenong Bypass after spotting him driving without licence plates.
Inwood produced an expired learner’s permit for identification, stating he’d had a ‘learner’s exemption extension’, but didn’t have the valid card on him.
The court heard Inwood knew of the conditions of the permit, and that he knew he had been driving outside of them.
The court heard police had required Inwood to undertake a breath test, which returned a negative result, but when it came time to do the mandatory oral fluid test, he refused.
The court heard he told police “I smoked dope, it’s going to read positive”.
When asked why he refused to undergo testing, the court heard Inwood told officers “for what when I know it’s going to come up positive?”
Magistrate Jacinta Studham noted Inwood’s significant driving-related priors.
“You haven’t been in trouble for five years, but this would be your ninth unlicensed or driving while suspended charge,” she said.
“You say you’ve straightened yourself out and you’ve been pretty up front with police because you said you knew you’d be positive.”
Magistrate Studham said she had taken into account the nature of Inwood’s offending in comparison to his previous charges.
“The circumstance of this driving is different to what you’ve done in the past,” she said.
“I’ll take into account your plea of guilty and the fact you’ve been pretty upfront today.”
Magistrate Studham fined Inwood $600 in total for all the fines with conviction, and cancelled all his licences for two years.
“You’ve been around, so you know what I’m about to say is true,” she said.
“If you get done with another driving while disqualified offence, you’ll get a prison sentence. Another magistrate would have no choice on the 10th offence but to lock you up.”
“But for today, you can go.”
Sunil Bhatnagar
A man caught driving almost 40km/h over the speed limit has fronted Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.
Sunil Bhatnagar, 63, pleaded guilty to driving 36km/h over the set speed limit on April 3 after being clocked doing 96km/h in a 60km/h zone.
The court heard that police patrolling in an unmarked car saw Bhatnagar in Cardinia on March 17 last year, after he overtook them at speed on the Monash Freeway.
Police used their radar detector to check Bhatnagar’s speed, which measured Bhatnagar 36km/h over the limit.
The court heard the police intercepted Bhatnagar, who said he was “speeding to get home to his sick wife”.
“My wife was in severe pain, she was shrieking over the phone to me,” Bhatnagar told the court.
“I just panicked.”
Magistrates Kilias empathised with Bhatnagar, who had a spotless driving record aside from this offending.
“I wish I had the power to not take your licence after 40 years of driving without a blemish,” Magistrate Kilias said.
“But I’m not allowed to. If your speed exceeds the limit by 35–44 km/h, it’s mandatory for me to cancel your licence for six months.”
Magistrate Kilias suspended Bhatnagar’s licence for six months and fined him an aggregate of $100.
Bhatnagar asked if the Magistrate could have some discretion, but Magistrate Kilias said it was out of his hands.
“Even if I was to give you no licence suspension, Victoria Police would be required to appeal it and you’d end up in the Supreme Court before you knew it,” he said.
“The costs would cripple you.”
Magistrate Kilias also warned Bhatnagar of the risks he would be incurring if he was to drive unlicensed.
“Apart from sullying your record, if you drive unlicensed you’re uninsured,” he said.
“That means that if you’re in an accident without a licence, the cost is on you.”
Christine Blackett
A disability care student has fronted court after doing more than 20km/h over the speed limit.
Christine Blackett appeared in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court after police caught her doing 88km/h in a 60km/h zone.
The court heard police intercepted Blackett on March 8 in 2021 on Hallam Rd
After conducting a license and registration check, officers asked Blackett why she had been speeding.
The court heard she had “wanted to overtake a car in the left lane,” and then turn at an upcoming intersection.
The court heard police issued Blackett with a caution and an infringement notice, suspending her license for three months.
Magistrate Kilias told Blackett he had no other choice but to take her licence.
“I have no choice, I have to take your licence,” he said.
“Without conviction, I’m fining you $100. For three months from midnight tonight, your licence will be suspended.”
“You can drive home today, but after you get there don’t drive anywhere else for three months.”
Georgio Giannoulas
A Clayton South man has pleaded guilty after police caught him speeding more than 15km/h over the speed limit.
Georgio Giannoulas, 45, fronted Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on April 3, pleading guilty to charges of driving while disqualified and speeding.
The court heard Giannoulas was seen driving by police in Springvale October 2022.
Officers saw him doing 56km/h in a 40km/h zone while unlicensed.
The court heard Giannoulas was pinged in April 2021 for driving unlicensed and speeding.
Giannoulas’ car was impounded for 30 days, costing $878.50.
The court heard Giannoulas lived with his parents and grandparent, and had been taking care of the three family members.
Magistrate Costas Kilias said his sentence reflected Giannoulas’ need to use his car.
“I’m going to convict and fine you $400, but I’m not going to affect your licence. I suspect you need it to take your family to medical appointments,” Magistrate Kilias said.
Matangaro Barber
A single mother of four fronted Dandenong Magistrates’ Court for driving without a supervisor.
Matangaro Barber appeared at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on April 3, pleading guilty to driving without a supervisor, not displaying P-plates and for failing to carry a license while driving.
The kindergarten teacher was seen by police on June 27 last year driving a Fiat on Heatherton Rd in Dandenong at 7.50am.
The court heard she was intercepted for a licence check, where she was unable to produce a licence.
The court heard Barber was permitted to drive on a Learner’s permit, but needed to be driving a vehicle with an interlocker device, to prevent her from drink driving.
The vehicle she was in did not have an interlocker installed.
The court heard Barber was accompanied in the car by her ex-partner, who also held a Learner’s permit.
In an interview with police, the court was told Barber made full admissions to driving unaccompanied and without an interlocker.
Her car was impounded at a cost of $1038 for 30 days.
The court heard that when Barber was asked why she was driving a vehicle without an interlocker device, she said “I just took the risk on the way to work”.
When questioned further about why she didn’t have her licence, the court heard she said “in case I get checked”.
Now a probationary license holder, the court heard Barber no longer required an interlocker.
Magistrate Kilias spoke to Barber, asking her about her personal situation.
“I’m a kindergarten teacher,” she said.
“I have four kids and I’m now a single mum.”
Magistrate Kilias noted Barber had paid the full amount to release her car from impoundment in 2022, and decided not to fine her further.
“I’m putting you on a good behaviour bond for 12 months, and I won’t affect your licence,” he said.
“You’re free to go.”
gemma.scerri@news.com.au
