Prabhjit Randhawa: Truck driver appeals suspension after allegedly ramming cafe

A Melbourne truck driver banned from driving for two years after allegedly ramming a cafe in a violent outburst, has appealed his disqualification.

A Melbourne truck driver who was banned from driving for two years after allegedly ramming a cafe has appealed the disqualification because his family relies on his income.

Police say an argument broke out between Prabhjit Randhawa and staff of a venue not referenced in court on September 11 where he allegedly assaulted and threatened two workers before yelling: “I‘m going to hunt you down”.

Minutes later it’s alleged his car rammed head on into the front of the business causing “significant damage”.

He’s accused of attempting to reverse out of the establishment but was unable to because the vehicle was stuck, with police allegedly arresting him at the scene.

Police say Mr Randhawa was rushed to hospital under police guard and was not interviewed because of physical injuries and his mental state.

He was charged the following day with 10 offences including reckless conduct, dangerous driving, criminal damage, assault and making threats to kill.

His licence was immediately disqualified by police for a mandatory two year period after allegedly refusing to provide a valid breath sample.

In Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on Friday, Mr Randhawa’s lawyer Josh Smith said they were going to fight the charges, saying his mental state at the time would be relied upon as a defence.

He appealed against the immediate suspension of his client’s licence arguing that he was the sole financial provider for his family, had no prior record and without a licence he cannot work.

“He has a wife and three children who are going to struggle if his licence remains suspended indefinitely,” he said.

Magistrate Amina Bhai said while the suspension was only for allegedly refusing to provide a breath sample, she had to take into account the nature of the alleged offences.

“This puts a very different flavour on simply refusing a breath test,” she said.

She said she was not satisfied the arguments put forward had met the threshold for lifting the disqualification and adjourned the matter until November 29.

Mr Randhawa was not required to enter pleas and will reappear on that date.

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