Travis Driver: Albury man shapes up to police with knuckle dusters while tripping on mushrooms
A young Albury man has used his small stature as an excuse for arming himself with knuckle dusters while tripping on psychedelic mushrooms.
Albury Wodonga
Don't miss out on the headlines from Albury Wodonga. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A 22-year-old man tripping on mushrooms has come at police with knuckle dusters after they chased him through South Albury.
Between 2.20am and 2.35am on September 27 police noticed Travis Driver near the Kiewa St community car park.
When Driver saw the police he ran away yelling “f**k off”, but dropped his phone and slipped over.
When police asked him to stop, Driver ran at them, reaching into his front hoodie pocket and pulling out a four-ring metal knuckle dusters.
Driver slipped over again and the knuckle dusters fell to the ground and police were able to restrain and handcuff him.
When police asked him why he had knuckle dusters, he said: “Cause I’m small.”
When police searched the accused, they found three cans of spray paint with wet nozzles.
Driver faced Albury Local Court charged with possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing graffiti implements with intent.
Driver’s solicitor said he was at a gathering where someone convinced him to try some mushrooms.
The court heard a group then left the party with some spray cans, and while Driver didn’t participate in any graffiti, when the group were scared off by some men and dropped the spray cans, Driver picked them up.
Driver’s solicitor said the accused was so ashamed of his actions the next day he went back to try and clean up the graffiti.
Magistrate Richard Funston said the behaviour seemed out of the ordinary for Driver.
“Those mushrooms are killers. People can start tripping on those and never come back,” Magistrate Funston said.
“I’m going to give you a chance today, I have no doubt you’re taking this very seriously.
“You entered a plea of guilty at an early opportunity.”
Magistrate Funston decided not to record a conviction for Driver, and sentenced him to a 12-month conditional release order.
MORE ALBURY WODONGA NEWS
ALBURY’S $21M-PLUS BUDGET BOOST REVEALED
Country Week grand finals decided in thrilling circumstances
Melbourne Country Week drew to a close on Friday afternoon and there was a series of stunning grand finals including one which went down to the final. Here’s how they played out.
Take off for $4m ‘special project’ to restore WWII-era bomber
A mammoth project to restore one of just four remaining World War II-era Lincoln bombers left in the world is in the dedicated hands of the volunteers at Moorabbin Airport Museum.