Ramandeep Chatha pleads guilty to drink driving, driving unlicensed in Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court

A Melbourne man who travelled to Warrnambool to buy a new car, only to be caught driving drunk and unlicensed, has faced court. Find out what happened.

A Melbourne man who travelled to Warrnambool to buy a new car, only to be caught driving drunk and unlicensed, has faced court.

Ramandeep Chatha appeared at the Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to two charges of driving with no licence and driving under the influence of alcohol.

The 28-year-old was living in Melbourne and travelled down to Warrnambool to purchase a new car.

The court heard Chatha had gone out for dinner with friends at a local pub in Warrnambool on Friday night.

When they were leaving Chatha decided to drive as they were approached by a group of males and Chatha wanted to flee from the venue.

He was driving a white Cerato vehicle when he was intercepted by Highway Patrol west of Raglan Pde in Warrnambool just after 3am on Saturday.

He had a blood alcohol reading of 0.104 — more than double the legal limit — and was driving unlicensed.

Chatha said he shouldn’t have driven while suspended and drinking alcohol, the court heard.

Chatha’s lawyer Ronny Randhawa said Chatha didn’t “shy away with his actions” and accepted “full responsibility”.

Mr Randhawa said Chatha had completed a drink driving behaviour program after the offences.

However, Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge said the offending was “serious” and warned Chatha that if he were to return to court for another offence, he would be sent to prison.

Chatha was convicted and fined $1550 and disqualified for driving for another two years.

“Penalties are harsh, which can include imprisonment,” Mr Lethbridge said.