A magistrate has given an unlicensed driver who provided police a false name an opportunity to gain his licence.
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The man pleaded guilty to driving unlicensed and stating a false name and address in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court this week.
The man was pulled over by police in California Gully early on the afternoon of August 10 last year.
When asked for his licence, the man told police he did not have one with him.
More court news:
He then gave a name and said he had no fixed place of abode.
A check of these details could not confirm the man was who he said he was.
Police told the man he was under arrest, at which time he gave his true name, which police were able to confirm.
The man told the police he was driving to “escape where (he) was” and gave paranoia as the reason for his lying to the officers.
Magistrate Patrick Southey noted the man had five prior convictions for unlicensed driving, and drink-driving conviction from 2009.
Mr Southey said the man had two options.
“One month’s jail, or I give you time to sort this out,” Mr Southey said.
The man said he would lose his job if he went to jail.
He said he intended to go to VicRoads straight after court to get the process started.
Mr Southey gave the man until April 17 to take steps towards getting his licence.
He said that if the man did this, he would get an adjourned undertaking of good behaviour for his offending.
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