Trip ends in lecture about jail

A TRIP to “the shops” cost a Lara man $1000 after police caught him behind the wheel of a car six days into a yearlong driving ban.

Phillip Burzynski, 61, copped the fine in Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday for driving while disqualified.

Magistrate Ann McGarvie also added another month to the 12-month driving ban issued to him in the same court on May 17, when the man admitted a similar offence and also drink-driving.

Prosecutor Senior Constable Chris Capuano said Burzynski was caught driving only six days after that appearance in court, telling the officers who pulled him over he “had to go to the shops”.

“I did the wrong thing,” the defendant said.

Ms McGarvie warned him jail loomed if he kept offending.

“Has anyone told you that if you continue to drive while disqualified you could be sent to jail?” she said. “No,” Burzynski said. “Well, I’m telling you,” the magistrate said. “Don’t do it again. I’m not kidding when I talk about jail.”