A MAN still struggling to come to terms with the murder of his brother has been brought before Dubbo Local Court on a charge of driving while suspended.
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Dubbo Local Court heard Arthur Paul Smart was caught behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Magna sedan in Palmer Street at 8.08am on April 1.
A solicitor from the Aboriginal Legal Service told Magistrate Andrew Eckhold that Smart had not intended to commit the offence.
"He thought the period of suspension had ended," the solicitor said.
"To his detriment, he was not displaying p plates."
The solicitor said Smart's brother had been murdered last July.
"He had to move out of the house which was declared a crime scene," the solicitor said.
"He is still dealing with loss and family pressures and is involved in grief and drug and alcohol counselling.
"There has a big change in him since his brother was killed."
The police prosecutor told the court Smart was suspended from driving until December 10 this year.
"He was driving 30km/h over the limit. He shouldn't have been driving at all."
The court heard Smart had participated in a traffic education program offered through PCYC.
The program is designed to give participants a greater understanding of the risks involved in drink-driving, speeding and other traffic offences.
The goal is to encourage the development of positive attitudes and safer driving behaviours.
Magistrate Eckhold said he was sorry about Smart's brother.
"But that is a limited excuse for your driving conduct," the magistrate said.
"I hope you have learnt something from completing traffic education."
Magistrate Eckhold ordered Smart to enter into a two-year good behaviour bond. A conviction was not recorded.
