Mark Manser pleaded guilty in Werribee Court to drink driving and more after cops bust him behind the wheel
A learner driver busted way over legal alcohol limit while driving on the wrong side of a Tarneit road has been called an “absolute idiot” by his own lawyer.
Wyndham Leader
Don't miss out on the headlines from Wyndham Leader. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A learner driver has been slammed by his own lawyer after he was busted driving on the wrong side of a major western suburbs road while drink driving.
Mark Manser pleaded guilty to numerous driving charges in Werribee Magistrates’ Court on January 14, after being busted drinking behind the wheel twice.
The court heard cops saw Manser driving on Doherty’s Rd in Tarneit on June 26 last year where he crossed over the medium strip and travelled into oncoming traffic.
Manser turned into a 7-Eleven servo where officers intercepted and breathalysed him.
After cops discovered he was on a learner’s licence, Manser blew 0.055.
The legal blood alcohol limit for leaner drivers is 0.00.
None of the passengers in the car were fully licenced drivers and Manser had no L-plates displayed.
He later told cops he drove on the wrong side of the road to get to 7-Eleven because he “had a flat tyre”.
His car was impounded.
Manser was busted again on September 5 in 2024 in Bacchus Marsh where he blew 0.079 while behind the wheel.
He again had no supervising driver and no L-plates displayed on the car.
His licence was immediately suspended by attending cops and his car was impounded.
In court on Tuesday, Manser’s defence counsel said he had been an “absolute idiot on the road”.
“I’ve told him if he keeps going the way he’s going he’s going to end up a lonely person,” his lawyer said.
“He’s identified himself as having a significant alcohol problem, and he’s currently caring for his mother who has severe health problems.”
Magistrate Carolyn Howe said Manser “needed to address his alcohol issues”.
“The person who will be most disadvantaged by this is your mum – you now can’t drive,” she said.
“If there’s an emergency, you’re useless.”
Manser was sentenced to a 12 month undertaking and his licence was disqualified for six months.
Bidding wars erupt as competition surges at Melb auctions
Buyers are battling harder at Melbourne auctions as competition heats up. See which suburbs are surging and why demand is soaring.
Sight unseen: Sydney buyers outmuscling locals in Melb’s west
Sydney buyers are snapping up homes in Melbourne’s west sight unseen, outbidding locals and driving prices higher. Will the west slip out of reach for first homebuyers?