The notices added up to $42,961.50 in unpaid fines.

Mr Walsh, who has changed his surname from Packer, was jailed for nine days by Ringwood Magistrates' Court last month over three of the infringements.

The rest of the notices were adjourned to a special hearing at Melbourne Magistrates' Court yesterday when it emerged Mr Walsh suffered from a moderate to severe brain impairment.

Phil Lynch, for Mr Walsh, said his client's condition affected his ability to understand the concept of using an e-tag. "Mr Walsh's CityLink infringements were principally the consequence, not of anti-social desires . . . but the failure to understand how the system operates," he said.

He said his client, who has not driven a taxi since January, was now on a disability pension.

Mr Lynch asked for his client to be placed on a community based order with strict conditions, including that he buy an e-tag and continue seeing a neurologist.

Sgt Harold Jacotine, prosecuting for the Sheriff's office, said Mr Walsh's brain disorder was an exceptional circumstance that made him eligible for a community based order.