Drug-driver had ‘appalling driving record’

By Grace Carter

Mar 31, 2025

A Shepparton man has faced court after drug-driving. Photo by Holly Daniel

A man said the drugs police found in a car he was driving weren’t his, despite being caught drug-driving the month before.

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Kane Thompson of Shepparton pleaded guilty in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court to drug-driving, possessing methamphetamines, possessing cannabis and two counts of driving while disqualified.

Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Chris Cole said Thompson tested positive to methamphetamines and cannabis when he was driving on September 7, 2024 after his licence had been suspended just five days earlier.

Leading Sen Constable Cole also told the court police found meth and cannabis in a bumbag hanging from the gear stick of the car Thompson was driving on October 29, 2024 while he was disqualified.

Representing himself in court, Thompson said he had a landscaping business and the second time he was caught driving it was for “work purposes”.

He told the court the bumbag in the car belonged to the person in the front seat.

Magistrate Simon Zebrowski noted Thompson had an “appalling driving record” and had previously lost his licence after drug-driving.

Mr Zebrowski told Thompson if he kept using drugs while having a licence, he would be “caught for the rest of your life” .

“You’re constantly on this roundabout of losing your licence,” he said.

Thompson was fined $1200 and disqualified from driving for 14 months.