Illegal immigrant charged

AN illegal immigrant was set to be deported after facing court on two drink-driving charges on Friday.

Chin Chai Ng, 44, of Branyan, gave police a false name when he was intercepted speeding and drink driving at 1.24am on August 14.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Barry Stevens told Bundaberg Magistrates Court officers observed Ng driving at 92kmh in an 80 zone on Childers Road.

When officers pulled him over, they noticed he smelt of liquor.

Ng blew .158 on a breath test he was asked to take by police.

Ng pleaded guilty to driving without a licence, providing false information, not stopping at a red traffic light and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Thirteen days later, in the early hours of Friday morning, police watched Ng run a red light in Bundaberg.

“He told officers he did not stop because there were no cars coming,” Sgt Stevens said.

Checks revealed Ng was disqualified from driving as a result of the offences on August 14.

The Malaysian defendant blew .177 on a breath test and he produced a Malaysian driving permit under a false name.

Police searched his Branyan residence where they found a passport with his correct details.

“He has shown scant regard for himself and the community,” Sgt Stevens said.

“He is an illegal immigrant and will be deported.”

Defence lawyer Matt Messenger said his client came to Australia in June 2008 on a tourist visa and never left.

He said Ng was a painter in his home country and his early plea of guilty and the fact he was being deported should be taken into account when passing a sentence.

Magistrate Jennifer Batts addressed the defendant as he stood handcuffed in the court docks.

“These two examples of driving are very serious indeed,” she said.

“Lucky for you, and others, you didn’t cause an accident.”

Ng was given two jail sentences – one of six weeks and the other of 14 days to be served concurrently with a parole release of September 10. He was also disqualified from driving in Australia for two years, 14 months and 9 months cumulative.