Shepparton man caught drug driving three times

By Grace Carter

Jul 23, 2024

A man who was caught drug driving three times has faced court. Photo by Holly Daniel

A man who was picked up by police drug driving three times has faced court.

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Adrian Hutchinson, 35, of Shepparton, pleaded guilty in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court to three charges of drug driving and one charge of unlicensed driving.

Prosecutor Senior Constable Ethan Hamill said Hutchinson tested positive for cannabis when he was driving south on Watt Rd, Kialla on December 9, 2022, and tested positive for methamphetemines when driving on Archer St, Shepparton on September 7, 2023.

He tested positive for cannabis and methamphetamines, and was driving unlicensed because he hadn’t paid for a renewal, in Mooroopna on December 31, 2023, Sen Constable Hamill said.

Hutchinson’s solicitor, Luke Slater, said his client was a “complicated individual” who had been prescribed cannabis for back pain and anxiety.

Mr Slater said there was nothing aggravating about the charges, apart from the repetition.

Hutchinson was keen to relocate to Queensland, as he didn’t have any support in Shepparton since his father died, Mr Slater said.

Magistrate Amina Bhai fined Hutchinson $850 and disqualified him from driving for 15 months.