By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A SERIAL disqualified driver who drove down Monash Freeway’s emergency lane to escape from pursuing police then urinated in front of parkland pedestrians, a court heard.
Angelo Madafferi, 21, of Hallam asked his lawyer if his impending jail term could wait until after lunch at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 1 August.
He had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving as well as driving an unregistered vehicle while disqualified three times in a week in Hampton Park, Doveton and Narre Warren.
During the last offence on 29 May, police followed Madafferi and another male in a white Commodore with incorrect number-plates from a fast-food outlet on Belgrave-Hallam Road, Hallam.
Police saw the car disobey a red turning-arrow onto a Monash Freeway on-ramp about 4.40pm.
Other afternoon peak-traffic moved out of the way of the car, which was driven down the freeway’s emergency stopping lane and turned north at Ernest Wanke Road, Dandenong Magistrates’ Court was told.
The empty car was found by police parked on the wrong side of Riflebird Avenue.
At a nearby park, Madafferi was found urinating in front of passers-by.
Madafferi denied knowing anything about the abandoned Commodore until police found documents with his name inside the vehicle.
The car was impounded on the spot.
Madafferi also pleaded guilty to making the threat “he owes me money by tomorrow or he’s dead” to an occupant behind a front security door at a Narre Warren South home in March.
On 30 September, Dandenong Magistrates’ Court had disqualified Madafferi from driving for 12 months and put him on a community corrections order over 26 offences that were mainly driving related.
A Corrections officer told the court that the accused’s engagement with the CCO was “poor”.
Since October, Madafferi hadn’t completed an hour of his 250-hour work order.
Madafferi’s lawyer said the accused had been recently employed and training as an earth-mover and had completed a certificate three in civil construction.
“This is the first time in years he’s done something with his career,” the lawyer said.
“There’s no way he’ll comply with a corrections order.”
Magistrate Julie O’Donnell retorted: “That’s lucky because he won’t be getting one.”
Ms O’Donnell noted the accused’s “ridiculous” criminal history – including 11 driving suspended or disqualified – and non-compliance with court orders.
“You’re entering into (jail with) parole. Clearly he shouldn’t be driving on our roads.”
She cancelled the community corrections order and sentenced Madafferi to 21 months’ jail – including re-sentencing for last year’s offences.
Madafferi was also convicted, fined $2000 and disqualified from driving for three years.
He will be eligible for parole in nine months.
