Cops on to fake plate

A LAMINATED piece of photocopy paper fashioned into a fake numberplate was not enough to fool police when they pulled over Jessica Patricia Rodrigues in Helensvale.

Rodrigues, 27, pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court yesterday to one count each of using something purporting to be a numberplate, driving unlicensed, unregistered and uninsured, driving an unsafe vehicle and one which had been confiscated.

But Rodrigues says she did not drive the car and was sitting in the driver’s seat to charge her phone.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Jay Merchant said Rodrigues told police she did not have her licence with her when they spoke to her on Latrobe Ave in Helensvale about 4pm on Thursday. She had her two young children in the blue Holden Commodore and police also saw the ignition barrel of the car had been removed and wires were hanging out under the steering column.

“There was a false registration plate on at the rear of the car,” Snr Const Merchant said.

“It was made from photocopy paper but it was laminated and stuck to the car.”

Police also found in the car a confiscation notice saying the car was not to be driven.

Rodrigues’ drivers licence was suspended for two years in May last year.

Magistrate Clare Kelly sentenced Rodrigues to 12 months probation with the condition she complete the Queensland Traffic Offenders Program.

Rodrigues was also fined $600 and had her licenced disqualified for three years.