Mansfield Magistrates' Court news

Unregistered driver avoids conviction amid VicRoads delay A probationary driver intercepted by police in Mansfield has had a charge of driving an unregistered vehicle dismissed under the Sentencing Act. The court heard police stopped the accused at 1:00am on Friday, April 18, while driving a black Mazda sedan along Malcolm Street. Checks revealed the vehicle was unregistered and lacked a roadworthy certificate following a transfer. The accused was issued an infringement notice. He told the court he was aware the vehicle was unregistered and had planned to transfer it into his brother’s name, but VicRoads had been slow to process the request. He said his car was written off in November last year in an incident where he was not at fault. His brother had recently purchased a new car and transferred the old one into the defendant’s name. There was confusion around the need for a roadworthy, as his mother had previously transferred a car without one. The defendant said he later received notice from VicRoads advising a roadworthy would be required. He contacted a local mechanic but was told it would take a month to book the inspection. He then elected to cancel the transfer and emailed VicRoads with the relevant dates. He said he paid the registration on 5 February, and repeatedly requested the cancellation, but VicRoads did not confirm it until 25 May. The defendant also provided the court with a timeline of events. "You tried to do the right thing and it blew up in your face," the magistrate said. "I think you’re trying to do the right thing and you came unstuck.” The matter was dismissed under the Sentencing Act. Drug trafficking charges result in good behaviour bond A Mansfield man has avoided conviction but was placed on a two-year good behaviour bond after police located ecstasy, cannabis, methamphetamine, cocaine and Xanax at his home. The court heard that on 12 July 2024, police executed a search warrant at the accused’s address. A co-accused, who also resided at the property, was not home. In the kitchen, police found ziplock bags containing ecstasy and cannabis. In a bedroom, they found a ziplock bag of MDMA tablets, two bags of cocaine, $490 in cash, and two plastic tubs of Xanax not prescribed to the accused. It was alleged methamphetamine was also located at the premises. A mobile phone found in the bedroom showed text messages arranging drug sales by leaving substances in a power box for cash. The accused was arrested and interviewed but made no comment. He told police he suffered seizures and used cannabis for this. When questioned about the texts, he replied “no comment”. The defence accepted the police summary, noting the co-accused had received an adjourned undertaking for similar charges. The prosecutor said family violence matters were also considered and the co-accused had been pregnant at the time. The court heard the 31-year-old had no prior convictions and had sold to a small group of friends. Defence noted the accused, an unemployed former hospitality worker who left school in Year 11, was receiving therapy and medication for anxiety and depression, and undergoing assessment for possible autism. “I have to take into account things with (the co-accused); it's the same in some ways but also different,” the magistrate said. “You have no priors but you're kind of hitting the big time here.” The accused was placed on a two-year good behaviour bond without conviction. “Don’t breach it or you'll be coming back to be resentenced, which may lead to you going to jail,” the magistrate warned. Leadfoot loses licence after Yarck speeding offence A driver caught speeding at up to 100km/h in Yarck has lost his licence for three months and been fined $400. The court heard the incident occurred on 12 January 2025 on the Maroondah Highway. The estimated speed was between 90 and 100km/h, and the accused was issued an infringement notice. When asked why he had been speeding, the accused told police: “It’s confusing.” “Well it might be confusing sir, but that’s the way it goes,” the magistrate replied. The defendant provided a letter to the court and said he had been in contact with police about the matter. The magistrate said that by pleading guilty, there was no discretion available. He explained the offence involved driving more than 25km/h over the limit, which carries a mandatory licence suspension. He said he could reduce the fine or extend the suspension, but not waive it. The magistrate noted the accused had driven to Mansfield for the hearing, and so the disqualification would begin at midnight that night. A fine of $400 was imposed without conviction.

Mansfield Magistrates' Court news

Tolmie Music Festival a rockin’ success

Young poultry judge pursues his passion

Life membership honours Gill's contribution to the arts

Fun, sun and fireworks

High Country art show provides winning form

Rufous Whistler – arrival of a summer songbird

Bombers go back-to-back in A grade

“No stone unturned” – Police committed to the long-haul in manhunt

Start your engines, Wilby Drags are back

Most popular stories