From TV to court evidence

A GEELONG magistrate had his own exclusive preview screening of a Danish TV program in court on Tuesday.

Peter Mellas watched scenes filmed on March 5 at Waurn Ponds for the highway patrol-style program.

The footage showed Bell Park man Jeton Ademi pulled over by highway patrol police officers near the Waurn Ponds police station. Ademi, 39, has been charged with refusing to provide an oral fluid sample to police after a preliminary test suggested he was driving with methylamphetamine in his system.

But the accused man is presently fighting the charge, with his lawyers arguing they need the full, unedited film of his encounter with police to advance the case.

Victoria Police sourced footage from the Danish company responsible for the program ahead of yesterday’s court appearance.

But Ademi’s lawyer Olivia Callahan said the vision “does not provide the full story”.

“It’s edited for the purposes of sensationalist television,” Ms Callahan said. “It does not accurately depict the entire conversation (with police).”

However police prosecutor Senior Constable Kerrie Moroney said the case against Ademi was clear cut.

While police did not rely on the footage, the prosecutor said it clearly showed he did refuse to provide the oral sample, twice telling the officers “I am not doing that”.

After being shown e footage, Mr Mellas appeared to agree. “It sounds like a refusal,” he said.

However, he agreed to adjourn the matter until January 12, for a contested hearing.