Truck driver fined $4000

TWENTY-NINE-year old Shane Barrett has pleaded guilty to a combination of offences relating to road safety.

Swan Hill Magistrate’s Court heard on Wednesday that Mr Barrett, a truck driver of 10 years, was intercepted by police in McCallum Street, Swan Hill on May 5 last year.

During a search of Mr Barrett’s vehicle and work log-book, officers detected an incorrect logging of hours in Mr Barrett’s records and one instance where his work hours exceeded the legal limit.

Police Prosecutor David Hogan said officers then witnessed Mr Barrett remove a small tube from his glove box and stash it inside the sleeve of his jacket.

After taking possession of the small container, officers discovered 1.3 grams of amphetamines.

Residing Magistrate Jenny Tregent said the charges were “a combination of everything that is bad” when it came to truck driving.

“If you are fatigued then you don’t take amphetamines, you simply pull over,” she said.

For the combination of Mr Barrett’s offences, Magistrate Tregent handed down a fine of $4000.

For more court stories, see Friday’s edition of The Guardian (22/03/13).