A disqualified p-plater has been fined $1000 after a magistrate found he drove from Melbourne to Sydney with a group of friends.
Ali Jafari, 24, fronted Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday, March 7, charged with ‘drive motor vehicle during disqualification period’.
“If you lose your licence today you’ve only got yourself to blame,” Magistrate Cate Follent said.
It is alleged that police were performing Stationary Speed Enforcement Duties on the Hume Highway when they noticed a white Toyota Hilux travelling at 127km/hr.
They allegedly activated the warning devices on their fully marked vehicle and proceeded after the vehicle, stopping it a short time later.
Police say they spoke to the driver and observed that he had four passengers in the vehicle.
They returned to their vehicle and performed checks which revealed the accused’s licence was endorsed as disqualified until April, according to RMS records.
When police spoke to Jafari in relation to his licence, he stated that he “thought it was active”.
According to police facts, he became argumentative and refused to supply his fingerprints.
“I do not consent”, he allegedly told them.
When he faced the magistrate, he was worried by the prospect of being forced off the road.
He pleaded guilty at the earliest available opportunity but told the court that he was only one of the drivers who took part in the 10 hour drive last year.
“Losing my licence would drastically affect my ability to provide for myself and my mother,” he said.
The court heard that Jafari’s licence is vital for him to be able to carry out his duties and that he is mostly responsible for financially supporting his family.
“My father died in Afghanistan so I didn’t have much guidance,” he told the magistrate.
Jafari has previously fronted court and received lenient sentences for similar offences.
According to Magistrate Follent, his record shows “a pattern of disobedience to the law”.
The Magistrate said there was no path to his licence not being further suspended as a result of the road trip.
“The court has no option today but to record a conviction against you,” she said.
He was fined $1000 and disqualified from driving for an additional six months.
Formerly with the ABC, Makayla is a graduate of Western Sydney University. She covers a variety of news topics for Parra News.