By MICHELLE HERBISON
A SURF Coast councillor has faced court for a second time on a charge of driving with a suspended licence.
Cr David Bell, of Wood Rd, Bellbrae, pleaded guilty and received a fine without conviction in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
Cr Bell told the Independent after the hearing that the magistrate had not suspended his licence again.
“I’m glad the regrettable incident is behind me and I look forward to serving the community. My licence was not touched and I can still drive.”
Cr Bell in February received a $500 fine without conviction and a two-month licence suspension in Geelong Magistrates’ Court after police caught him driving while suspended due to demerit points.
Leading Senior Constable Chris Burgess charged Bell with the second offence at Torquay less than a week later on 19 February, according to the Melbourne court.
A Department of Planning and Community Development spokesperson said the incident would not affect Cr Bell’s role as a councillor.
“Section 29 (2) (b) of the Local Government Act 1989 reads that a person can’t be a councillor if that person has been convicted of an offence committed when he or she was of or over 18 years of age which is punishable upon first conviction for a term of imprisonment of five years or more,” the spokesperson said.
