Branden Miller convicted after ripping burnout near Wauchope 4WD and Camping Show
A young lead-foot rattled people attending a 4WD and Camping Show when he drifted his Commodore past a busy toilet block metres from bystanders. Find out the lame explanation he gave to the cops.
Police & Courts
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A young man put on an unwanted show when he tore it up in his Holden Commodore - seemingly unaware that police were hot on his hammer.
Branden Miller, 22, now faces a long time without a driver’s licence after being convicted on two charges at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday.
The traffic was bumper-to-bumper in downtown Wauchope for the 4WD and Camping Show on the morning of August 6, when police spotted a blue Commodore exit a roundabout and perform a burnout at Cameron St, court documents state.
The car then swung into the carpark between the Hastings Hotel and the Andrews Park toilet block.
Another burnout followed which kicked up “a large amount of dust and gravel”, police documents state, in an area busy with pedestrians, including a number of children.
Officers said the Commodore came within 2m of people and “continued past the amenities block in a sideways slide”.
When police caught up with the driver and asked him why, Miller said “I was driving like a f**kwit, that’s all”.
According to court documents, Miller told police he didn’t have his licence on him and that he owned the car but hadn’t yet transferred it into his name.
Police checks revealed his provisional licence had been disqualified until November 17.
Magistrate Ian Rodgers was unimpressed, noting Miller had a traffic history which included a ticket for driving in excess of 45km/h above the posted speed limit.
On a charge of drive motor vehicle on road during disqualification period - prior offence, Miller was fined $1500 and disqualified from driving for 12 months.
On the charge of drive recklessly, furiously or at speed or manner dangerous - prior offence, he copped another $1500 fine and was disqualified from driving for three years.
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