Bad move gets man banned from club Panic after pedestrian hit

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

Asuspended driver who hit a pedestrian in St Marys has been fined $1100 and given a Community Correction Order.

Samantha McDonald, 31, fronted Penrith Local Court on Thursday, March 16, charged with ‘drive motor vehicle while suspended’, ‘fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact cause injury’, ‘not give particulars to injured person’, ‘fail to give information leading to driver’s identification’ and ‘negligent driving’.

grazing to his face and hands, cut lips and a fractured knee.

On April 30, 2022, he attended St Marys Police Station with his mother to provide a statement.

Less than two weeks later, police obtained a form of demand on McDonald.

When questioned in relation to the accident, she denied any involvement and told police “that she and her partner were away together”.

Police allege that the accused was given “ample opportunity” to provide her version but she continued to make false statements.

Aman who pleaded guilty to participating in a dance floor brawl at Panthers Leagues Club has been fined $1000.

Isaako Moelau, 22, fronted Penrith Local Court on Thursday, March 16, charged with ‘affray’.

Just before 2am on November 14, 2021, Moelau and three of his friends allegedly arrived at Panthers and joined other clubbers on the dance floor.

Shortly after, a fight erupted with punches being thrown in all directions, court documents reveal.

Security and staff who witnessed the altercation then dispersed each party from the venue and called police.

It is alleged that they reviewed the CCTV footage which clearly showed that the accused actively participated in the dance floor punch-up.

Moleau was charged almost a year later when police attended his Plumpton residence and conducted an interview.

During the interview he admitted to his involvement in the brawl, providing a similar version of events to those depicted on the CCTV.

Moleau’s lawyer told Magistrate Stephen Corry that her client did not know what triggered the brawl. He is otherwise a person of good character with strong community ties, she said.

“He goes to church every week and since the incident has had lots of time for growth and reflection,” she said.

In sentencing, the magistrate noted Moleau’s lack of criminal record.

“Lots of people go to Penrith Panthers but they don’t go there to get in a fight,” he said. Moelau was convicted of the single offence and fined $1000. He was also issued a two year ban from Panthers, which will remain in place until November 2023.

It is alleged that she panicked and left the scene after colliding with a pedestrian in the middle of the Phillip and Queen Street intersection on April 29, 2022.

According to police facts, McDonald was driving a white Holden Captiva at the time of the accident.

She allegedly turned right onto Phillip Street and hit the victim, sending him flying almost five metres through the air.

Three witnesses helped the victim to the side of the road and called an ambulance.

The accused briefly stopped, allowing her partner to exit the vehicle before fleeing the scene without attempting to provide details.

The victim was taken to Westmead Children’s Hospital with

The court heard that McDonald is an Aboriginal woman and mother of four.

She was represented by a lawyer who told Magistrate Stephen Corry that her client is high functioning with an intellectual disability.

“There's been a turning to drugs following the incident,” she told the court.

In sentencing, Magistrate Corry noted that McDonald has no prior criminal history.

He reduced the penalty, taking into account that she completed the Traffic Offenders Program.

“The facts indicate that you told police that you panicked,” he told McDonald.

She was fined $1100, given a 12 month Community Correction Order and disqualified from driving for 15 months.