A 37-year-old man was given a spent conviction for buying and selling motor vehicles without a license in the Busselton Magistrate’s Court.
Over a period of 14 months the man bought 15 vehicles and sold 19 making a profit of $5280.
The court heard that the man spent time, expertise and money to restore motor vehicles which had been declared written off or were used for spare parts.
He would repair the vehicles and sell them to families and disadavantaged people as a way of giving back to the community.
The police prosecutor told the court even though the accussed enjoyed restoring cars and it was a hobby he had to press the point that it was still a commercial arrangement.
“If he keeps to a hobby that is okay, the law draws the link at a commercial enterprise,” the prosecutor said.
Facing a maximum penalty of $50,000, Magistrate Brian Mahon said the man engaged in buying and selling at the low end and fined him $2000 plus $200 costs.