Driver begs for time to pay road fines

A 53-year-old man narrowly escaped jail today after he begged for time to pay his $4,000 plus fines.

Wendell Davis of Devonshire appeared in Magistrates’ Court today on a number of warrants relating to unpaid traffic fines.

Davis ran up $4,150 between July 2012 and November 2013 for various offences including no driver’s license, no vehicle insurance, unlicensed and riding an unlicensed bike.

The court heard Davis repeated these offences during that time period.

Addressing the court, he told Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner that he was having financial difficulties and was awaiting payment from a job he did at the hospital.

But Mr Warner said: “I think what you’re saying is that you’re in a bad financial situation and you haven’t been able to work.

“You should stop committing offences. That’s the first thing.

“Your history indicates that you commit offences, come to court, get a fine and go out and commit the same offences over and over again.”

He continued: “This court has dealt with you fairly on numerous occasions. I cannot manage and I don’t care about your financial or work situation.

“It’s not that I don’t understand the economic situation, it’s that you keep getting yourself into these problems.”

Mr Warner then put a new charge to Davis and he denied taking a motorcar without the consent of the owner between November 17 and 19 in Warwick.

Mr Warner initially decided to remand him into custody until trial, but Davis convinced him to grant him $2,000 bail with one surety.

He will stand trial for the offence in February.

Mr Warner granted Davis a month to pay the $4,150.

“If they are not paid by the date, it’s up to you to come back and ask for more time to pay.

“If that doesn’t happen and they’re not paid, you will be arrested and I will send you to West Gate.”