A MAN who was caught driving while disqualified twice in two weeks has been fined.
Shawn Riddle, 41, appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Tuesday for two counts of driving while disqualified.
The prosecutor said the first offence took place on June 20 followed by the second offence on June 29.
“The defendant admitted the second time he had been pulled over the previous week,” he said.
“He said he phoned the fines enforcement and recovery unit and believed he could drive after.”
The defendant’s lawyer said Riddle had been born in Mount Gambier and had resided in the town for the past five years.
She added he had a learning disability and had trouble interpreting paperwork.
“He has spent 20 years on a disability support pension,” she said.
The defendant’s lawyer said her client relied heavily on his flatmate and if he was there then the two offences may not have occurred.
Magistrate Maria Panagiotidis said she questioned if Riddle was on a pension then how could he not afford to pay a fine after the defendant’s lawyer asked an impound fee be waived.
Magistrate Panagiotidis fined Riddle $310 for each file and waived the impounding fee.
“Try and be more careful in the future,” she said.
