Mryl Luke Kaufusi sentenced over dangerous driving incident in Katanning

A 23-year-old Katanning man has been fined after crashing a vehicle in suburban Katanning while speeding and drink-driving without a driver’s licence. Myrl Luke Kaufusi was sentenced at Katanning Magistrates Court on July 5 after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, no authority to drive and driving with a blood alcohol content above 0.05g. Police prosecutor Sergeant Alan Dean told the court that on March 12, Kaufusi drove a vehicle along Blantyre Street at 100km/h in a 50km/h zone. Kaufusi then drove through the Blantyre and Avon streets intersection without stopping at the stop sign. Sgt Dean told the court Kaufusi veered off the road in Avon Street and crashed into a power pole, causing extensive damage. His vehicle then continued for a few metres before coming to a stop. Tests at Katanning Hospital showed Kaufusi had a BAC of 0.075. He did not hold WA driver’s licence. Kaufusi’s defence lawyer told the court her client could not remember his actions but nonetheless apologised for them. She said he did not have any family in Katanning, but had a friend who was driving him to work and around town. In her sentencing remarks, Magistrate Dianne Scaddan told Kaufusi his actions were “very dangerous”. “Not only did you drive without a licence, you drank alcohol and you drove very badly,” she said. “The way you drove potentially put others at risk. It was only good luck you and others weren’t hurt, or worse.” Ms Scaddan denied his application for a spent conviction. Kaufusi was fined $750 for dangerous driving, $650 for excess 0.05 and $100 for driving without a licence. He was also ordered to pay $259.30 in court costs.