‘Poor eye sight’ to blame for offence

A BEACHPORT man who was caught driving disqualified claimed he needed reading glasses because he thought he had marked the box for a 12 month good behaviour bond, not a three month suspension.

The 48-year-old male appeared unrepresented before the Millicent Magistrates Court last week and pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified.

At 7.10pm on September 7, police on mobile patrol pulled over the defendant for a breath test on Mount Burr Road.

Upon presenting his driver’s licence, police noticed it had been disqualified due to demerit points.

The defendant said he thought he ticked the box for a 12 month good behaviour bond, not for a three month suspension.

“I’m a truck driver and I was coming home from work,” he said.

“I have only had my reading glasses for the last month.

“I need my licence for work.

“Since I have been pulled over that night I have been working as a yardy.”

Magistrate Anderson said she believed the defendant had a genuine belief he had marked the good behaviour option.

He was issued a 16 day loss of licence, culminating in three months and fined $300.