Austin Mohr: Catalina man argues with magistrate over speeding charge

A man has argued in court a ticket issued by a police officer was not evidence he had sped, describing it as just “a piece of paper with numbers”.

Austin Lee Mohr leaving Batemans Bay Local Court after arguing with the magistrate.

A young P-plater has gone head to head with a magistrate in court, arguing a speeding ticket he was issued for allegedly driving more than 10km/h over the speed limit was not enough evidence he had sped.

Austin Lee Mohr, 20, from Catalina, faced Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, charged with driving more than 10km/h over the speed limit.

Mohr eventually entered a plea of not guilty, after initially refusing to enter any plea at all.

The refusal came when Mohr, who was self represented, informed Magistrate David O’Connor he would not enter a plea due to a lack of evidence.

“I am not able to enter a plea given no facts or evidence was given to me,” Mohr said.

Mr O’Connor asked the defendant if he had been given a ticket when he was pulled over for the alleged speeding.

Austin Lee Mohr leaving Batemans Bay Local Court.

“I was,” Mohr said. Mr O’Connor replied: “Then that is the evidence you were speeding”.

Mohr disagreed, saying a ticket was “not evidence” prompting Mr O’Connor to say: “What are you talking about? Yes it is”.

Mohr eventually pleaded not guilty to the offence, before being handed a copy of the ticket he was issued when he was pulled over near Batemans Bay on March 17.

“There’s no facts or evidence on this, I’m just looking at a piece of paper with numbers on it,” Mohr said.

“Well, so was the officer when he handed it to you for speeding,” Mr O’Connor replied.

The matter was ruled to go to hearing on June 2 at Batemans Bay Local Court, where the officer who handed the speeding ticket will be in attendance.

“We will see you then and the officer who handed you the ticket will be in attendance,” Mr O’Connor said. “You can question him about the decision then.”