A man who hit two parked cars in a Sebastopol street and then drove off has escaped a conviction and serious penalty because of his “significant contribution to the community” and previous clean driving record.
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The court heard that on 29 March at 9.30pm, Sam Young was driving his jeep in Walker Street, Sebastopol, had been momentarily distracted and had “taken his eyes off the road” before colliding with two parked cars.
Young, 28, had then driven away and had “gone home to bed.”
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Clint Prebble said police had gone to the street the next day and one of the car owners had identified Young as the offender.
He said both cars had sustained substantial damage.
Representative for the defence said Young had returned to the street at 6.30am the next day, had given the car owners his details and had then helped them arrange car repairs.
She said Young was very involved with soccer coaching and had been on his way to a team announcement at the club.
“My client has worked full time since he was 15 and has just obtained his real estate licence, his dream job,” she said, appealing for Young to be allowed to retain his driver’s licence.
“It was a mistake, a silly mistake,” she said. “My client has a clean record over 10 years of driving.”
“If he’s been driving for 10 years then he should know that if you hit a car, you have to do something about it,” Magistrate Mark Stratmann said.
“But, you are a person who is making a significant contribution to the community,” Mr Stratmann said, directing Young be placed on a good behaviour bond until 26 June 2019.
He was also ordered to pay $750 and attend a Road Trauma Awareness seminar.
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