Man with ‘one of the worst driving records’ likely to avoid jail time
A man with “one of the worst driving records” a magistrate has ever seen is set to avoid jail time — but there’s one condition. And it involves thousands of dollars of unpaid fines, a bank loan and a very short timeframe.
Wyndham Leader
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A man slammed by a magistrate as having “one of the worst driving records I’ve ever seen” has been handed a get out of jail free card.
Anthony Burke this week pleaded guilty in the Werribee Magistrates’ Court to a raft of driving offences around Point Cook, Werribee and Hoppers Crossing, including drug-driving, speeding, and driving while unlicensed.
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On one occasion, during a routine roadside alcohol and drug test, police found ziplock bags, digital scales and drugs in his car.
Burke also tested positive for methylamphetamine and confessed to cops he had used ice and cannabis several days before he was pulled over.
The court heard Burke had an extensive eight-page rap sheet for similar offences and had been stripped of his licence about four years ago after he was caught drink-driving.
It was also revealed he had fronted court in 2017 and been slapped with $4140 in fines but had so far not paid a cent.
“It just slipped my mind,” he said.
Magistrate John Bentley warned Burke he had “a strong chance of going to jail” if he didn’t pay up immediately.
“When you get these fines don’t think they just go away into the never never,” he said.
“I’ll tell you what, I’ll consider a community corrections order between now and next Monday and you go and consider a bank loan between now and next Monday and let’s put the ledger straight.
“It’s a deal, you put the ledger straight and you’ll get your corrections order — I expect that $4140 to be paid by Monday.
“There are a lot of people in Fulham (prison) with less priors than you.”
Burke will return to court on Monday for sentencing.
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