TikTok, YouTube star Sam Eyles in court for alleged stunts in ‘clown car’
A TikTok and YouTube mogul who allegedly performed dangerous stunts in his “clown car” and uploaded the footage to social media has faced court for the first time. Read what happened.
Sunshine Coast
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A TikTok star has faced court for the first time after he allegedly performed several dangerous manoeuvres in a “clown car” and uploaded the footage to social media.
Sam Eyles from the motoring social media channel Built Not Bought has millions of views on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, but one of his videos caught the attention of police.
Police will alleged the 29-year-old man purchased a “clown car” which comprised of a fuel system with a plastic jerrycan attached to a rubber hose and made some other modifications to the vehicle.
Mr Eyles then allegedly performed “stunts” in the vehicle on multiple occasions, including repeated burnouts, front wheel stands and a tug of war between the car and a group of men holding a snatch strap.
The car also allegedly crashed at Beerwah and rolled down an embankment.
A video of the driving was shared across multiple social media channels and police started an investigation into his online activity.
The investigation resulted in a search warrant on September 30 of an Image Flat property where officers seized the “clown car” and another vehicle.
Mr Eyles was arrested and charged with 11 offences including dangerous operation, careless driving, driving a defective vehicle, driving unrestrained and driving with passenger unrestrained.
He received watch house bail and appeared in person at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on December 12.
Defence solicitor Blake Fraser represented Mr Eyles and varied his bail conditions so he would be able to travel outside of Queensland.
The matter was adjourned to January 16, 2023.
Nine other people who allegedly appeared in and contributed to the videos were issued with 70 Traffic Infringement Notices (TINs) with a combined total of 99 associated demerit points, amounting to $27,800.
Sunshine Coast District Superintendent Craig Hawkins said in a previous press release that putting your own life and your friends lives at risk for the sake of social media notoriety is “childish and selfish” behaviour.
“Our message to anyone taking part in foolish and high-risk activities or thinking you can push modified, unsafe vehicles to the limit is that we will continue to target you, investigate and take action,” Superintendent Hawkins said.
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Originally published as TikTok, YouTube star Sam Eyles in court for alleged stunts in ‘clown car’
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