Lee Thomas Clingeleffer in Bundaberg Magistrates Court over driving offences
A farm hand’s bizarre behaviour behind the wheel on a busy Bundaberg road has proven to be expensive for the 38-year-old.
Police & Courts
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A Bundaberg farm hand who drove in a “strange” manner in front of police has been fined and disqualified from driving.
Lee Thomas Clingeleffer faced Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to one count of driving without due care and attention and one count of contravening a police direction.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Tina Bland said Clingeleffer was driving down Mount Perry Road towards Bundaberg on October 5 when police officers in a car behind him were forced to slow down quickly when Clingeleffer braked suddenly.
Sgt Bland said Clingeleffer was seen to be turning his hazard lights on and off and struggled to maintain his position on the straight and level road.
“The defendant’s vehicle again slowed, using the vehicle’s brakes, causing the vehicle to bounce up and down,” Sgt Bland told the court.
She said there appeared to be no reason for the “strange and odd” behaviour.
Police then noticed a bright strobe light being flashed from the vehicle and when Clingeleffer was directed to slow down and pull over he overtook another car, almost crossing the centre line.
When Clingeleffer was approached by police, he repeatedly asked to see their badges.
Police seized a strobe torch from within Clingeleffer’s vehicle.
The court heard that Clingeleffer’s actions impacted on police who were doing their job as well as at least one other road user and that his bizarre driving could have caused a crash.
Magistrate Trinity McGarvie reminded Clingeleffer that having a licence was not a given.
“Having a licence is not an entitlement, it’s effectively a privilege...,” she said.
The Bundaberg farm hand gave no reason for his offending.
Magistrate McGarvie noted Clingeleffer’s lack of history with the courts at the age of 38.
Clingeleffer was fined $650 and disqualified from driving for one month.
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Originally published as Lee Thomas Clingeleffer in Bundaberg Magistrates Court over driving offences
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