Two western suburbs drivers reverse their way into Sunshine Magistrates Court

A couple of down and out western suburbs duffers have faced court where their dodgy driving antics have been exposed.

A young unlicensed chippy who almost hit a cop car while evading police and a labourer who damaged a Mercedes before fleeing the scene have faced Sunshine Magistrates’ Court.

The two tradies both pleaded guilty to their antics and now Tuii Tull and Bailey Franklin’s offending can be laid bare.

TUII TULL, 36

Tuii Tull pleaded guilty at Sunshine Magistrates Court on Monday.

A western suburbs labourer who caused significant damage after reversing into a Mercedes at a set of lights failed to stop because he “panicked” before hitting the highway.

Tuii Tull was sentenced in the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court after he failed to exchange details after the accident.

About 8.30pm on November 12 2021, Tull came to stop a set of lights on Main Rd, St Albans.

Tull told the court, through a Samoan translator, that it was dark and raining, and he reversed in order to change lanes but miscalculated the gap between him and the vehicle behind.

After colliding with the vehicle, the 36-year-old panicked and left the scene.

Police prosecutors said the incident caused “significant damage” to the Mercedes but the occupants were uninjured.

The people in the Mercedes followed him after the crash and took a video of the Tull’s vehicle before contacting police.

Tull’s defence lawyer said Tull arrived in Australia in 2013 and worked as a labourer, relying on his driver’s licence — which he obtained following the incident — to get to job sites.

He said 18 months had passed and there has been no further offending and he had learnt his lesson.

Magistrate Cynthia Lynch said she was “not impressed” with his offending but accepted he was remorseful.

Tull was placed on an adjourned undertaking to be of good behaviour for 12 months but escaped a recorded conviction.

BAILEY FRANKLIN, 19

Bailey Franklin pleaded guilty at Sunshine Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

An unlicensed driver who almost hit a cop car while evading police before driving on the wrong side of the road has copped a serve from a magistrate who told him it only takes “a few second to kill someone”.

Bailey Franklin was sentenced in Sunshine Magistrates’ Court for driving in a dangerous manner, possessing cannabis, driving unlicensed, driving an unregistered vehicle, and failing to stop after police direction.

About 9pm on November 13, 2022, police saw the then 18-year-old driving an unregistered red Mitsubishi Lancer bearing NSW plates on Ajax St, Truganina.

Franklin accelerated away and stopped the car at nearby Scottsmith Cr, however, when police pulled up behind the vehicle and engaged their lights he reversed at a “fast rate” and almost hit the police car before driving on the wrong side of the road with his headlights off.

He then parked the car on Andrew Rd and ran away before he was arrested by police.

Police then found a small zip lock bag containing cannabis inside the unregistered Lancer.

Further investigations revealed the teen’s licence had been cancelled for failing to undertake a drug driver program.

In court, police prosecutors said that during questioning, Franklin admitted he got into the chase with cops and “got scared” before damaging his vehicle.

“I tried to take a turn but hit the car, woop, car’s f***ed might as well keep going, f*** this, I’m not getting f***ing pulled out of the car, f*** that s***.” he told police

Franklin’s defence lawyer Carl Finch said his client had suffered a rough childhood and turned to drugs after suffering from PTSD and anxiety.

He said Franklin was now working as an apprentice carpenter and had ambitions of running his own business.

Mr Finch said his client would benefit from regaining his licence as his mum had been dropping him off at work sites and he had been forced to catch an uber home.

Magistrate Vincenzo Caltabiano said the teen was engaged in “frighteningly dangerous driving” and he was extremely fortunate no one was hurt

“It only takes a few second to kill someone, maybe someone you love, and then the question becomes how long you’re in jail, not if you’ll be imprisoned,” Mr Caltabiano said.

However, Mr Caltabiano said Franklin’s rehabilitation was important and it was honourable that he he was training himself in a profession that would serve society.

Franklin was suspended from driving for six months, backdated to April, and placed on an adjourned undertaking for 18 months.

He was also ordered to pay $500 to a court fund but escaped conviction.