Eight people fined for trespassing on South and North Dandalup dams

EIGHT people who trespassed on restricted dam catchment areas including South and North Dandalup dams have been fined in Mandurah Magistrates Court.

Timothy Brian Haines and Sarah Jayne Price, who did not appear in court, were convicted of entering South Dandalup dam, which is not open to the public, on April 26.

Water Corporation lawyer Conor Breheny told the court that police observed the pair driving a Camry along the water’s edge.

Haines told the police at the time he knew he was trespassing and he intended to come back.

“That’s refreshing – I don’t think I’ve ever heard that one before,” Magistrate Longden said.

Magistrate Longden fined them $300 each.

Meanwhile, Daniel Roy Tapley and Hailey Jasmine Ward pleaded guilty to entering South Dandalup Dam, which is not open to the public, on May 30,2017.

The pair was identified driving along the dam in a White Nissan patrol.

Tapley admitted their car was bogged in the area from 8pm the pervious night and he had not seen any signs when they entered the dam.

Ward said they followed other four-wheel-drives that entered the dam at the time.

Magistrate Anne Longden fined the pair $250 each and she granted them both spent convictions on both of the charges.

Nepia Arii Hiwaii Teio, who did not appear in court, entered an endorsed plea of guilty for entering South Dandalup Dam with a dog on December 1, 2016.

Water Corporation officers observed a trailer on the land and saw Teio with his dog, who was wet.

Breheny said at the time of the incident he drove on the land, owned the dog and did not take notice of the signs.

Magistrate Longden fined Teio $600.

Jake Benjamin Watt-Lee, who did not appear in court, entered an endorsed plea of guilty to entering North Dandalup Dam with his Hyundai Getz on December 23, 2017.

Magistrate Longden fined Watt-Lee $300.

Cody James Winter, who did not appear in court, was convicted of camping on land without authority and entering a restricted water service works area with his Toyota Hilux ute on February 17, 2018.

Winter admitted camping with friends and he said he did not see the signs.

Magistrate Longden fined Winter $600.

Brett Edward Foster Graeme Pickett, who did not appear in court, entered an endorsed plea of guilty to entering the prohibited zone of South Dandalup Dam without authority on December 23, 2017.

Pickett was with two other men at the time. He said he did not see the signs.

Magistrate Longden fined him $100.