A Bendigo man who refused to accompany police for a drug test, after being caught driving under the influence of methylamphetamine, has been taken off the road for six months.
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Clint Zarb, 29, pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates Court yesterday to refusing a blood test and possessing drugs without a prescription.
The court heard Zarb was stopped at a routine breath testing station on October 29 last year when an oral fluid test indicated the presence of methylamphetamine.
Zarb refused to accompany police for a further test.
Representing himself in court yesterday Zarb said he knew he had done the wrong thing.
“I knew I was going to get caught so I didn’t want to go,” he said.
Senior Sergeant Brett Sheppard said police were called to Zarb’s car a few months later on January 11.
“Police were called to check on a man slumped over the front wheel of his car in front of the Bendigo 24 hour shop,” Senior Sergeant Sheppard said.
“Police searched the car and found an empty glass pipe and some empty snap lock bags.
“Police found 12 Xanax tablets in the pocket of the accused’s shorts.”
Senior Sergeant Sheppard said Zarb had no prescription for the drugs.
But Zarb said he was now done with drugs.
“I don’t use drugs anymore because of the trouble that comes with it,” he said.
Victoria’s chief magistrate Ian Gray – sitting at the bench as part of a regional visit – imposed a $1000 fine with conviction.
Mr Gray also cancelled Zarb’s licence and disqualified him from driving for six months.