Dunce driver jailed

The court said don’t get behind the wheel ... but he did

A 31-YEAR-OLD L-plater was jailed yesterday after he was caught behind the wheel in Colac just weeks after being bailed on charges of unlicenced driving.

David Campbell was locked up for five days and fined $2000 after he had a minor accident and failed to give way at a Dennis St roundabout on Wednesday.

The court heard Campbell was driving a white Holden Commodore towing a tandem trailer when the incident took place at 2pm.

When police arrived at the scene, Campbell denied he was the driver of the Commodore but his partner, following in another car, told police he was the man behind the wheel, the court heard. Campbell’s lawyer told the court her client, who lives in Cranbourne, was on the way to buy a vehicle for his partner when he was caught by police.

“The purpose (of driving) was to buy a vehicle for his partner of 10 years. It was not a sensible decision,” she said.

Police Prosecutor Geoff Lamb argued jail was the only option for Campbell given his driving history. “He’s obviously on bail with a direct condition not to drive a motor vehicle. The only option here is a term of imprisonment,” Leading Senior Constable Lamb said.

Magistrate John Lesser warned Campbell not to drive following his release from jail and suspended his learner’s permit for three months.

“You are on bail, you can’t drive a motor vehicle. You have a very bad driving history,” Mr Lesser said.

“When you get out, keep away from the driver’s seat of a motor vehicle. If someone says to get in a car and drive say ‘no’.”

Campbell was released on appeal bail on December 7 to have unlicensed driving charges heard in the County Court. He will be released from jail on Christmas Eve.