A Pakistani international student who has been convicted of driving with a suspended licence for the third time in Western Australia, claimed ignorance of road rules.
Hamid Waheed came to Australia on a student visa four years ago and had his licence suspended in March 2017 and was later caught driving on a suspended licence in September 2017, the reported.
The prosecutor told Rockingham Magistrates Court on Monday where Mr Waheed appeared in custody that it was his third conviction in less than a year and that his car was impounded by the police.
While asking for a fine instead of a conviction, the duty lawyer told the court Mr Waheed found the laws “quite different” in WA compared to his home country and did not understand the consequences of continuing to drive without a licence.
Magistrate Leanne Atkins rejected his defence.
“I find that difficult to believe – maybe once, but three times in one year? No,” she said.
“Fines are not working for you – according to our records you have $20,620.63 in outstanding fines,” she said.
“Twice in this court and once in Fremantle you were convicted of driving while suspended – you were told what would happen if you continued to drive.
“Fines are not a deterrent to you – there is no other deterrent other than imprisonment for you.
“You are not recognising the laws of this state – repeatedly ignoring these laws.”
The magistrate said the sentence would be suspended due to his age and that he was working.
He was sentenced to seven months imprisonment suspended for 12 months and disqualified from driving for 12 months.
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