Perth man arrives in Geraldton after missing bus stop, is fined for street drinking

A Mid West court has been told a man caught street drinking in the CBD at the weekend had arrived in Geraldton by accident after falling asleep on the bus and missing his stop north of Perth. Samuel Abreha Mussie appeared on Monday in Geraldton Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to street drinking and failing to comply with a move-on order on Saturday evening. Prosecutor Sgt Beau Jones told the court police had issued Mussie with the 24-hour order to stay out of the CBD in response to several complaints made about his anti-social behaviour on Marine Terrace. He was subsequently spotted carrying a bottle of wine which was 1/4 full on Post Office Lane — within the boundaries of the CBD. Upon realising police had seen him, Mussie “sculled” the remaining wine against the orders of officers. He had been carrying a towel and told police he had been on his way to use the public showers when he was apprehended. Defence counsel Karen Ward said Mussie had “misunderstood” the terms of the move-on order and was currently homeless. She said the 38-year-old had been on his way to explore a potential employment opportunity about one hour north of Perth when he fell asleep on the bus and missed his stop. He got off at Geraldton “by accident” and has struggling to get by in the Mid West city for the last week. Magistrate Angus Hockton noted Mussie’s criminal record only started in January 2021, and said “life has gone off the rails” for the man since then. Mr Hockton urged Mussie to get his life “back on track” when he returned to Perth. He was fined $300 and ordered to pay $134.50 in court costs.