Traffic offenders who fronted Gatton Magistrates Court on April 22
A regional magistrate was forced to listen to the blatant disregard of traffic offenders disobeying the law.
Gatton Magistrates Court saw another week of traffic offenders showing a blatant disregard for the law.
See who faced the music below.
- Owen Nekea Gerefo’oa
A Lockyer Valley man learnt a tough lesson on the repercussions of getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.
Owen Nekea Gerefo’oa pleaded guilty in Gatton Magistrates Court on April 22 to one count of being in charge of a motor vehicle while over the general alcohol limit.
Police prosecutor sergeant Natalie Bugden told the court police were responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked at Lake Apex park in Gatton at around 5.35pm on March 25.
Sgt Bugden said when police arrived they found Gerefo’oa sitting in a Ford Fiesta with several other passengers.
The court was told while the vehicle was not running at the time, police noticed the keys were in the ignition and the radio was on.
Police conducted a breath analysis of Gerefo’oa, who was located in the driver's seat of the vehicle, returning a reading of 0.085.
Magistrate Ho took into consideration Gerefo’oa’s lack of history and that he was only in charge of the vehicle and not driving.
He was fined $2000 and disqualified from driving for one month.
A conviction was recorded.
- Pasalio Va’a Lotomau
A new father who decided to drive despite never holding a valid Queensland licence will have to wait a few more months before applying for one after being caught by police.
Pasalio Va’a Lotomau pleaded guilty in Gatton Magistrates Cour on April 22 to one count of driving a motor vehicle without a licence.
Sgt Bugden told the court police stopped Va’a Lotomau for a random check while he was driving along Railway St in Gatton about 7.50pm on March 19, when checks revealed he didn’t hold and had never held a valid Queensland licence.
Va’a Lotomau admitted to police he didn’t have an Australian or international licence and had no reason to be driving.
Magistrate Ho strongly encouraged Va’a Lotomau apply for a Queensland licence once his suspension ceased.
He was fined $450 and disqualified from driving for three months.
A conviction was recorded.
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Originally published as Traffic offenders who fronted Gatton Magistrates Court on April 22
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