A WANGARATTA man caught a magistrate off-guard as he attempted to have his court matter heard while driving his truck in South Australia. Appearing via WebEx at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Monday, the man charged with a breach by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DECCA) was asked to turn his camera on, as per the requirements for those appearing in court online. “I’ve got to find somewhere to pull over first,” he said. “I’m a truck driver; I’m in South Australia.” Perplexed to learn the defendant was driving, Magistrate Ian Watkins immediately stood the matter down. “I’m not having people driving trucks while they appear in court,” he said. A short time later the Wangaratta man found a spot on the side of the road and admitted to having paid only $600 of a $5000 fee to the government agency past its expiry. Magistrate Watkins adjourned the matter until 19 May, wanting to see the Wangaratta man make a concerted effort in making payments or no further time would be given.
