Licence lost 0ver burnouts
A MAN caught doing burnouts in a Tamworth street was fined $200 and lost his licence for two months.
In Tamworth Local Court yesterday Anthony David Evans, 24, pleaded guilty to prolonged/sustained increase in loss of traction over an incident in Macgregor St, West Tamworth, on Wednesday, September 19.
Evans’ lawyer, Steve O’Reilly, said his client had locked up the front brake of his motorbike, causing the back wheel to spin and create a lot of noise and smoke, to impress family members.
Mr O’Reilly said the incident was a moment of “tomfoolery” on the part of his client, who works at a local concrete producer and is a father of one.
“It was a controlled manoeuvre to impress his family. He was simply showing off,” Mr O’Reilly said.
He said Evans bought the motorbike 18 months ago and was still paying it off, and faced an impoundment fee of $1600 when he was eligible to pick it up in December. He said his client’s employment would be at risk if he were to lose his licence.
Magistrate Jennifer Betts said Evans’ stunt was “stupid” and that “people get killed day after day” as a result of similar incidents.
“This appears to be an expensive lesson for you to learn,” Magistrate Betts said.
“You were operating a motorbike, you were the most vulnerable person in the vicinity. You may think you’re in control but the potential risk was there.
“It’s just being foolhardy ... without thinking of your own behaviour.”
She said Evans’ traffic record “wasn’t good”. He was caught driving while unlicensed in 2010, speeding in 2006 and 2007, and driving without his L-plates.
Evans’ licence was disqualified until December 18.