13 charged with various offences over Borroloola rodeo weekend

THIRTEEN people were charged with various offences during the Borroloola Rodeo over the weekend, but police are praising the majority of the attendees for good behaviour

Thirteen people were charged with various offences during the Borroloola rodeo over the weekend

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THIRTEEN people were charged with various offences during the Borroloola Rodeo over the weekend, but police are praising the majority of the attendess for good behaviour.

NT Police conducted patrols and 300 roadside breath and drug saliva tests around the area over a four-day period.

As a result, 13 people were charged with a number of offences ranging from drink driving, drive with prohibited drug in blood, possess cannabis, drive disqualified, drive unlicensed, and breach of bail.

Officer in Charge Sergeant Cherie Gaffney said “It was disappointing to see a number of drink and drug drivers on our roads over the rodeo weekend.”

“Borroloola Police want to thank our safe road users who participated in our traffic campaign for their co-operation and contribution in making the 2020 Borroloola Rodeo a family friendly event”.

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The event, which was set to take place in mid-August, was postponed to last weekend after a “terrifying” event which allegedly involved a local family being chased and shot at on the Carpentaria Highway.

Locals protested outside the police station when days went by before two men were eventually charged with their alleged involvement in the incident.

Borroloola Amateur Race Club Vice President Roz Kerr said the decision was made to avoid clashes between community members at the rodeo.

“At the time, when that incident was happening, everything was all fresh and no charges had been laid at that time,” she said.

“Back then it probably would have let it all settle down and let the police and the courts deal with the incident.”

Ms Kerr said the rodeo was a great success, and the attendees paid tribute to champion horseman Ron Wall who passed away recently.

“We had a two minute silence and all the people and horses were in a semicircle,” she said.

“We’ll be back bigger and better next year!”

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