A 66-year-old Catalina man has received $1500 in fines after pleading guilty to drink driving and driving unlicensed.
Geoffrey Paul Lewis represented himself in Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, December 11.
His licence had been suspended after he was earlier caught mid-range drink driving.
Lewis said he had to drive to get food as he was “starving”.
“There was no food in the house, my knee was puffed up so I couldn’t walk and I didn’t have enough money for a taxi and food,” he said.
Lewis said it was his first time in court.
“This is routine for all of you, but this is my first time in 67 years and it’s hell for me,” he said.
However, his record showed a string of traffic offences.
If the law says you can’t drive, you can’t drive
- Magistrate Doug Dick, Batemans Bay Local Court
Magistrate Doug Dick said Mr Lewis’ circumstances did not excuse breaking the law.
“If the law says you can’t drive, you can’t drive,” Mr Dick said.
Lewis was fined $1000 for the mid-range drink driving charge. He was fined $200 for not stopping when directed. He was fined $300 for driving while his licence was suspended.
He received a three-month disqualification for driving while suspended.
He received a six-month disqualification for drink driving.
