Fine for disqualified driver

By Monique Preston

Jun 21, 2023

In court: A Kialla man has been fined for disqualified driving. Photo by Megan Fisher

A Kialla man who had just started driving his car again after a year has been fined $650 after he was caught driving on a disqualified licence.

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William Morrissey, 42, pleaded guilty in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court to driving while disqualified.

Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Brent O’Grady told the court police spotted Morrissey driving on Benalla Rd in Shepparton on November 24 last year.

His vehicle registration flagged on the police automatic number plate recognition device as having an unlicensed driver, with it cancelled from May 2, 2022.

Leading Sen Constable O’Grady said Morrissey told police he was not aware his licence had been cancelled, but later said he had received correspondence from Vic Roads saying he had to undergo a medical review.

The car was impounded.

Representing himself in court, Morrissey said he was unwell at the time and may have received the documents.

He also told the court his licence had been suspended from October 30, 2021, for what he thought was one year, but the magistrate said it was two years.

Morrissey said he had also lent his car to a friend while his licence had been suspended and had only just got it back because he thought the suspension time was over.

Morrissey was fined $650 and ordered to pay court costs, but no conviction was recorded.