Speeding conviction prompts warning on international travel

A Geraldton magistrate has issued a warning to a driver that even speeding offences can restrict a person’s ability to travel internationally.

“When I was a lawyer I had a client of mine who was denied entry into Canada for traffic offences,” Magistrate Chris Miocevich said.

“Most people don’t realise that even traffic offences can impact your ability to travel freely.”

The warning came as Jagathis Silvaraja entered an endorsed plea of guilty in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court last Thursday for a speeding offence near Leeman on November 16.

The 32-year-old was caught by police driving on Indian Ocean Drive at a speed of 169km/h — 59km/h over the posted limit.

Prosecutor Sgt Troy Guildersleeve said the man told police he was unaware of the speed he was travelling at and “apologised profusely to police and his three passengers”.

He was granted a spent conviction for the offence after his lawyer argued it may affect his ability to frequently travel internationally for work as a financier.

He was fined $1000 for the speeding offence, had his licence disqualified for six months and was ordered to pay court costs of $248.70.