BUNYIP man Russell Hughes has escaped jail after pleading guilty to driving a World War II truck into a group of Sri Lankan veterans marching on Anzac Day last year.
The 65-year-old was convicted on three charges of dangerous driving causing injury when he faced Melbourne Magistates’ Court on Monday.
Magistrate Peter Lauritsen fined Mr Hughes $4500 and cancelled his driver’s licence for 18 months.
The incident occurred when the vintage truck, which had been driven by Mr Hughes in 11 previous parades, lurched forward along St Kilda Road before ploughing into eight marchers, two of whom were critically injured.
Speaking outside court, Mr Hughes said he was relieved that the accident victims, some of whom he had kept in touch with, had not been more seriously injured.
“This accident shows how things can go terribly wrong if you have a lapse of concentration,” he said.
“It could have been so much worse and I’m greatly relieved that the injured members of the Ceylon Ex-Servicemen’s Association have all recovered, albeit with a few aches and pains.”
The court had heard that Mr Hughes had been using both hands to photograph the parade in the moments before the vintage Chevrolet truck struck the marchers.
Mr Hughes’s lawyer told the court that his client was an otherwise blameless individual and a shy and private man who was respected in his community.
His sincere remorse for his actions was noted by the magistrate.
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