Notorious killer driver Mitchell Walsh – whose appalling road record includes a fatal drunk collision with 10-year-old Jess Meehan in 2003 – is back behind bars today after being charged and convicted of more on-road offences.

Walsh appeared in Perth Magistrate’s Court this morning after the alleged theft of a vehicle from a road side in Dianella yesterday.

He was subsequently charged with a string of alleged driving offences during April and May this year. They include seven charges of no authority to drive, two stealing charges – and three alleged speeding offences.

During his appearance on Friday, Walsh pleaded guilty to four offences of driving without a licence – in Yokine and Dianella in April. He also pleaded guilty to two fuel drive-off thefts.

WA Police also allege Walsh tested positive for drugs, with more charges pending.

Walsh’s lawyer made an ill-fated application for bail, claiming the 35-year-old was disputing three more driving without a licence charges – because both a cousin, and his driver, had access to a shared car. He claimed he wanted his freedom to be able to check speed camera photographs police say are of him.

But magistrate Elaine Campione only need to hear one word from police prosecutors – opposed – before sending Walsh back into custody.

Walsh has a shocking traffic record that includes seven drink-driving convictions, and nine convictions for driving while disqualified.

He first came to public prominence when he killed 10-year-old cyclist Jess Meehan in 2003, with a recorded alcohol level of 0.165. However, he was acquitted of dangerous driving causing death by a jury who found the collision unavoidable.

He was eventually fined $1700 and banned from the road for two years.

After a public outcry, Jess’ parents Cheryl and Peter Meehan spearheaded a campaign that led to an overhaul of WA law.

Dubbed Jess's Law, the legislation meant any drink-driver with a blood-alcohol reading of more than 0.15 in a fatal or serious crash was automatically charged with dangerous driving causing death. The law places the onus on the accused to prove alcohol was not to blame.

Since then, Walsh has made regular appearances in court on driving charges.

Last year Walsh was fined almost $2000 and hit with a six-month driving disqualification after he admitted speeding at more than 45km/h over the limit days after he was caught driving with drugs in his system.

A speed camera recorded him travelling at 107km/h in a 60km/h zone in Merriwa.

Six days earlier, he tested positive to methamphetamine and cannabis when he was pulled over in Carine.

He was later jailed for 12 months for a string of driving and dishonesty offences.

Police caught him riding a motorcycle in Inglewood 11 days after a magistrate hit him with a three-month licence suspension for driving with methamphetamine and cannabis in his system.

The 35-year-old plasterer will return to court in two weeks.