Man caught drug-driving while unlicensed

By Grace Carter

Jan 16, 2025

A man who was caught drink- and drug-driving on two separate occasions has faced court. Photo by Holly Daniel

A man who was caught drink-driving and drug-driving on two separate occasions has faced court.

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Craig McKenzie, 53, of Congupna, pleaded guilty in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court to drug-driving, drink-driving, driving unlicensed, driving while disqualified and driving an unregistered vehicle.

Prosecutor Senior Constable Ethan Hamill said McKenzie was driving an unregistered white Ford Territory while his licence was disqualified on Wheeler St, Shepparton, on June 12, 2022.

He recorded a blood alcohol level of 0.038 while his limit was zero because his licence was disqualified.

Sen Constable Hamill said McKenzie also tested positive for methamphetamines and cannabis when he was driving a silver Ford Falcon while unlicensed on Central Ave, Shepparton East on August 22, 2024.

McKenzie’s solicitor Luke Slater said his client had grown up in a “hostile pub environment”, and had been familiar with drugs and alcohol from a young age.

Mr Slater said McKenzie was trying to reduce his cannabis use, and had gone from smoking 3g a day down to 1g a week.

Mr Slater submitted two drug screenings McKenzie had taken to the court, which showed a positive result for methamphetamines and cannabis.

However, Mr Slater said his client hadn’t taken any methamphetamines before the screenings but “sometimes cannabis is laced with methamphetamines”.

McKenzie will be assessed for a community corrections order and will be sentenced later in January.