The registration of Josh Kelly’s black Holden sedan had expired six weeks before he was out taking it for a drive in Yarrawonga in March 2016.

He drove along a straight section of road, reaching the high speed before he was caught by a waiting speed camera.

Kelly appeared in Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Thursday to plead guilty to driving at a dangerous speed.

Defence solicitor Geoff Clancy said Kelly, who worked in roofing, bought the car a week earlier and decided to test out what it could do on a quiet road without other traffic around.

“He’s going to be walking for 12 months as a result,” he said.

Magistrate Stella Struthridge suspended his licence for 12 months, saying 174 km/h was a shocking speed, and fined him a total of $1500 for the driving offence and another case of unlawful assault.

Kelly was given a life ban from Cafe Martini in Wangaratta three years ago, but attended the restaurant on September 10 last year to look for his brother at a private function.

Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Penny Lawler said the restaurant owner and his son tried to usher Kelly down the stairs, telling him to leave.

Kelly then became aggressive and threw three to five punches at the owner’s face.

It eventually took four men to throw him out of the premises.

Police later arrested him across the road at Domino’s.

“The witnesses all observed the accused acting like he was drug-affected or substance-affected in some way,” Leading Senior Constable Lawler said.

Mr Clancy said Kelly denied he was taking drugs and there must have been a reason he snapped, more than just being asked to leave.

“This could have been done differently,” he said.

“Something else has happened here that didn’t make it to the (police) statements.”

Kelly told police he was trying to defend himself.

The victim sought treatment at Wangaratta hospital for a swollen lip and cuts to his face.