Shopping trip ends in fine for unlicensed driver

Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Brent O’Grady told the court Taufa was unable to produce a driver’s licence when police pulled him over on the Midland Hwy at Tatura on December 17 last year.

Taufa told police he did not have a licence and had “just jumped in to go and get something from the shop”, Leading Sen Constable O’Grady said.

Taufa’s van was impounded for 30 days.

The court was told Taufa had no prior convictions.

Leading Sen Constable O’Grady said Taufa had a Tongan licence, and had since gotten a learner’s permit in Victoria.

Taufa was fined $700 and ordered to pay court costs, but no conviction was recorded.