‘I’m shocked’: Dalkeith developer sprung driving ‘unregistered’ by opposing lawyer during defamation trial
“So, on your analysis of what a crime is, driving around without a registration would be unlawful, wouldn’t it?” Chrysanthou replied, before distributing Department of Transport documents she claimed showed the registration for the vehicle McGarry had driven past Mangano’s property on Friday had expired three days earlier.
After confirming the license plate number and accepting he had driven the orange vehicle, he expressed his shock.
“I think I’ve broken the law. I’m actually shocked that this is the case,” Paul replied.
“I’m going to put to you that despite driving around unlicensed, you’re not a criminal,” Chrysanthou quipped, before Justice Palmer ordered the witness to leave the court and revealed it was, in fact, a crime in WA.
Chrysanthou, who hails from New South Wales, changed topics, but Paul recommenced his evidence by requesting a copy of the document.
“I need to go and pay my license,” he told the court.
The McGarrys are suing Mangano for damages over comments he made at three meetings in 2022 in which he claimed the pair had placed dirt on their verge unlawfully, creating a trip hazard and causing run-off issues.
Some of the most prominent residents of the street known as “millionaires’ row” have been dragged into the spat unfolding in the WA Supreme Court — from former governor Malcolm McCusker to media mogul Kerry Stokes.
The McGarrys, who are from Perth but have spent more than two decades living interstate and overseas, purchased the property in 2021 before beginning earthworks in 2022 in preparation for a five-storey mansion.
The pair have claimed Mangano embarrassed them by making allegations later republished by the media and rejecting numerous attempts to settle the row amicably, with Paul telling the court Mangano “didn’t like them”.
But the court was previously told Mangano and government agencies weren’t the only ones concerned about the works taking place before the matter wound up before the council.
An email penned by Tonya McCusker, copied to several neighbours and tendered as evidence in court raised concerns about the volume of sand being moved, damage to a boundary wall, the footpath and a sewage pipe.
Meredith tearfully told the court she only ever wanted an apology from Mangano on Tuesday, providing evidence about the hurt and embarassment she experienced after being accused of unlawful conduct.
On Thursday, the court was shown correspondence outlining that any settlement with the McGarrys hinged on Mangano producing a retraction backtracking on accusations of illegality.
The trial continues.
