Kellie Anne Richard, aged 45, of Hill Street, West Bathurst did not appear to answer the charges of learner not accompanied and not display L plates, so the matter was dealt with in her absence under Section 196.

Police facts tendered to local court magistrate Michael Allen told how on July 4 this year police were patrolling in Suttor Street, West Bathurst when they saw a Subaru Liberty leave an address. 

The car travelled along Suttor Street in a westerly direction and was pulled over by police for the purpose of a random breath test.

As police approached the car they showed Richards their identification and informed her of their reason for stopping the car and asked her to undergo a roadside breath test.

It returned a negative result.

Police said they had reasonable grounds to search the vehicle and asked Richards for her driver’s licence. She handed over a learner’s class licence which was suspended on July 3 due to fine suspension.

Richards told police she had no knowledge of the suspension but admitted she was a learner driver and could only drive with the holder of a C class licence present in the car.

On the first charge, learner not accompanied by a driver, police or instructor, Mr Allen convicted Richards, fined her $300 and disqualified her from driving for a period of three months from August 11. The charge of not display L plates was dismissed.