A drunk undertaker harassed and menaced a woman by following her in his hearse, in "a cry for help", his lawyer has told a Sydney court.
Roland Bonnici also described the undertaker's conduct as stupid and dumb, but said Adam Lee was a "good community man who has some real personal problems".
During sentencing submissions today in the Downing Centre Local Court, he urged the magistrate to place Lee on a psychiatric treatment plan.
Lee, 37, of inner-city Surry Hills, was found guilty earlier this year of disqualified driving, drink driving, driving in a menacing manner and not obeying police instructions.
The undertaker had claimed a fellow employee at Caring Funerals, Rene Pereira, was driving the hearse, which had black tinted windows, late on December 16, 2004.
The victim Maureen Wyer was followed through inner-Sydney streets and became gravely concerned for her safety because the driver was sounding his horn and yelling.
Mr Bonnici said Lee was convicted and fined $15,000 ($NZ17,170) last month for two fraud matters dating back to November 2001.
He said the offences related to the wrong body being cremated and another being buried, and bills being sent out to each family.
He told Magistrate Christine Haskett Lee had lodged an appeal in that case.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Paul McGirr, referred to "horror movies" before telling the magistrate the offences were extremely serious.
"The only cry for help on that evening, was the cry for help by Maureen Wyer, who was the victim," he said.
He also noted Lee had chosen to point the finger at Mr Pereira.
"Imagine how Mr Pereira felt, who was innocent of this particular crime, who has been blamed by Mr Lee, imagine the pressure hanging over his head," Sgt McGirr said.
He conceded Lee was a hard working man, but said he had chosen to consume alcohol at a Rotary Club function, then drive, evade police, leave the hearse and blame someone else.
Mr Bonnici said Lee's life revolved around Caring Funerals and his Rotary work.
But he said Lee did binge drink on weekends and his "mental state is deteriorating" although there had been no reoffending since the 2004 incident.
"His father basically disowned him because he started a funeral parlour in competition," he added.
He will be sentenced on Thursday.
