A man from Mildura has been ordered to repay over $100,000 in fines over the next 28 years. Anthony Keith Heap, 35, appeared in Mildura Magistrates Court on Thursday, facing a total of $107,159.70 in fines related to tollway usage, parking violations, and failure to vote.

The court learned that Heap accumulated these fines while living in Frankston and Sandringham from 2014 to 2020. Heap expressed remorse during the hearing, explaining that the fines piled up during a challenging period in his life. He believed that his employer was handling the costs associated with his travel.

Heap frequently used the CityLink and EastLink tollways for work in a vehicle registered in his name. Magistrate Patrick Southey remarked on the volume of invoices Heap must have received, stating, "You got away with it for a long time, now it's coming home to roost." Heap acknowledged that he might have received some invoices but noted that some of the offenses dated back nearly a decade, making it difficult for him to remember.

Heap's attorney, Sasha Leon Molina, informed the court that her client had been in an abusive relationship and was struggling with drug use during the time the fines accumulated. Additionally, Heap had sustained a back injury while playing football and had been living in unstable conditions.

Taking full responsibility for his actions, Heap admitted that he did not care about himself or others during that period. Magistrate Southey recognized the difficulties Heap faced but noted that he had since made efforts to improve his life.

The court ultimately reduced Heap's total fines to $73,000, considering his financial situation. It was agreed that he would begin repaying the amount at a rate of $50 per week. At this pace, it will take him 28 years to settle the debt, with the repayment plan set to conclude in 2053. Heap was cautioned that failure to adhere to the repayment schedule could result in a prison sentence of up to 360 days.