'They've stolen it': Dad riled up as son gets car impounded

TIMOTHY Horne was behind the wheel of his dad's beloved Ford on a quick trip to buy milk when Ipswich police grabbed him for drug driving.

LOST CAR: Unlicensed driver Timothy Horne, 22 and his not-so happy dad Robert Horne leave Ipswich Courthouse. Timothy was charged while driving his dad's car to buy milk. Picture: Ross Irby

TIMOTHY Horne was behind the wheel of his dad's beloved Ford on a quick trip to buy milk when Ipswich police grabbed him for drug driving.

His dad's Ford Fairmont was seized and impounded.

Horne was an L-plater but unlicensed due to its expiry. Methylamphetamine and marijuana were detected in his saliva, Ipswich Magistrates Court heard.

Timothy Triston Horne, 22, a labourer from Salisbury, pleaded guilty to driving unlicensed on April 6; and drug driving when on a learner's licence.

Prosecutor Sergeant Paul Caldwell said Horne was a repeat offender for driving unlicensed.

Horne was driving alone and told police he held a learner licence. Sgt Caldwell said no yellow L-plates were on the car.

A check revealed his learner licence had expired on March 6, 2015.

He said Horne was taken to Yamanto police station and tested positive to two drugs.

Magistrate Louisa Pink said Horne had now been charged three times since 2015, after the permit expired.

"You know you can't drive with no licence," she said.

Horne was fined $1000 and disqualified for three months.

The offender's dad Robert Horne asked the magistrate and Sgt Caldwell about the release of his impounded Ford.

"It's got all my belongings and tools in it," he said.

"They've stolen it," Mr Horne said.

Speaking outside the courtroom, Mr Horne expressed his frustration.

"I've been getting the run-around. The copper who done it says get f---ed. They've had it two months," he said.

"I've got to pay the towing fee, $200.

"The impounding fee's $26 a day. But my car don't eat.

"They don't have to feed it."