Lee John Hudson pleads guilty to dangerous driving at Midge Point

A North Queensland mine operator has explained why he used his car as a weapon after a ciggies run at the local tavern. Here’s what the court decided.

A Whitsunday magistrate has shown leniency towards a father of two who used his car as a weapon against a man who allegedly attacked him outside a pub.

Nebo mine operator Lee John Hudson pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after aiming his Ford Territory directly at a pedestrian at Midge Point Tavern on May 1, knocking the man over and causing injuries to his back, hand and foot.

Proserpine Magistrates Court heard Hudson had just finished night shift when he stopped by the tavern about 11.50am to buy cigarettes and an energy drink.

The court heard there was an altercation with three men as he returned to the car from the tavern, with Hudson describing a man “a lot larger” than him pinning him to the vehicle before he managed to get back in the driver’s seat and start the engine.

“I’ve walked out and he was waiting in front of my car,” Hudson said of the alleged ringleader.

“He’s grabbed me by the throat to the point where I couldn’t function, thrown me on the ground.”

Hudson admitted he “should have just backed out” of the car park at that moment but instead drove towards his alleged attacker because he “panicked”.

“I wasn’t thinking, and I’ve done the wrong thing,” he said.

The court heard the man Hudson injured was facing an assault occasioning bodily harm charge for his alleged involvement in the incident.

Magistrate James Morton said Hudson could have responded in a more “reasonable” manner, but accepted that he “seems to be the victim here” and moderated the penalty accordingly, imposing a $650 fine and the mandatory minimum six-month licence disqualification, with a conviction recorded.

“It was a panic situation, I accept that,” Mr Morton said.

Before letting Hudson go, Mr Morton wanted to check if his trip to the tavern had otherwise been a success.

“Did you get your cigarettes?” he asked.

Hudson replied: “I got my cigarettes, I spilt my Red Bull I got though.”