Michael Hann: Chippie in court for Double Island Point hooning

The Sunshine Coast man was caught towing a surfboard rider through shallow water near three young children at Double Island Point, a court heard.

A young Sunshine Coast carpenter has been fined in court after cops saw him perform a dangerous stunt near children at a popular beach driving spot.

Buddina man Michael Andrew Hann, 23, pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday to one charge of driving without due care and attention.

The court heard Hann was busted by officers from the Sunshine Coast Road Policing Unit at Double Island Point just after 3pm on May 2 this year.

Officers witnessed Hann, who had no previous traffic history, towing a surfer from his black Holden Colorado four-wheel-drive in a shallow water inlet back and forth three times before he was intercepted on the fourth run.

The court heard there was no spotter supervising the surfer being towed and the stunt was performed in the vicinity of three children playing on the beach.

Buddina carpenter Michael Andrew Hann, 23, leaves court. Picture: Alex Treacy

When questioned about his actions, Hann told police he had “seen other people doing it and thought he would try it”.

When pressed further about what would have happened if the surfer fell off and was injured, Hann admitted, “clearly we weren’t thinking”.

Hann, a qualified carpenter who grew up in Victoria but moved to the Sunshine Coast to “remove himself from his social scene”, maintained he had “kept a wide berth from the kids”.

It was submitted on Hann’s behalf he was extremely remorseful and had researched beach driving accidents after being charged to fully inform himself of the possible consequences of his actions.

Hann was fined $1500.