UPDATE: James Lucas has been warned he will find himself in and out of court if he continues to drive unlicensed.
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"I can't stress to you enough, if you want to stay out of trouble … do not drive until you are legally licensed," magistrate William White told Lucas during sentencing on Tuesday afternoon.
"But the matter is up to you."
Mr White placed Lucas on a 12-month community corrections order with conditions to undergo driving and literacy courses.
He was also convicted and fined $250 for using false plates, and disqualified from driving for a year on the dangerous driving charge.
"I'm placing you on the order for your own assistance," Mr White said at the conclusion of the plea hearing
EARLIER: A young Ballarat hoon who had his car impounded three times was not deterred from drifting around a roundabout and having a fourth car impounded, a court has heard.
James Lucas, 20, was unlicensed on each of the four times he was intercepted by police between March and September last year.
The Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Tuesday heard on one occasion in June Lucas was seen by police spinning his wheels and leaving behind him a trail of smoke in Little Bridge Street.
When police caught up with him in Albert Street they noticed his rear tyres were bald.
On another occasion in September he was intercepted by police for drifting around a roundabout in a car with false plates.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Steve Kent told court on the day it was raining with visibility very low.
He added Lucas' attitude was poor when questioned by police about his behaviour.
Asked if he thought what he was doing was dangerous, Lucas replied yes.
On Tuesday Lucas pleaded guilty to the offending which included four counts of unlicensed driving, a charge of dangerous driving and failure to answer bail.
His lawyer, David Taminika, told the court it was after the fourth occasion Lucas realised he should not have a car.
Mr Taminika said his client began to realise he was on a downwards spiral, so he decided it would be the last time he owned a car without a licence.
He said low literacy skills had deterred Lucas from attempting to gain a licence in the past, but he now understands there are still ways to obtain a licence.
Submitting a fine could be an appropriate sentencing option, Mr Taminika added Lucas now knew he faced more severe sentences if he ever came back to court on similar matters.
Magistrate William White had the matter stood down while a community corrections order assessment, which would encompass literacy courses, was completed.
Lucas is expected to be sentenced later today.