Former AFL umpire has licence suspended, placed on good behaviour
Pannell, appearing via video link before magistrate Michael Wighton at the Heidelberg Magistrates Court on Wednesday, pleaded guilty to a series of charges, including stealing a car and twice failing to stop for police.
He pleaded guilty to having stolen a white Hyundai Tucson valued at $45,000, and an Apple iPhone13 and Microsoft laptop on May 12 from his employer. The car and the two items were suspected by police of being the proceeds of crime.
He had also failed to stop for police in the Murray River town of Cobram on May 30, and again in the rural western Victoria town of Wheatsheaf on June 8.
Wighton took into consideration that Pannell, 49, had already been in custody for 48 days.
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'In relation to all of the charges, given your lack of prior criminal history, and the time that you have served in custody, whilst the court could impose a financial penalty, instead I am simply going to adjourn these charges for a period of six months,' Wighton said.
'I am going to ask you to make a promise to the court to be on good behaviour for that period of time. If you don't breach that promise, these charges will stand as dismissed by the court. There won't be a conviction recorded.'
Pannell thanked Wighton, his only comment during the hearing, where his mental health deterioration was outlined.
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