Media release

Court for hooning – Alice Springs

Police

An 18-year-old man has had his car impounded for three months after being caught hooning for the second time.

Police received a report around 3.30pm on April 22 that a driver was hooning around Mallam Crescent. Police were told that the driver had driven his Holden Commodore down Mallam Crescent and then accelerated as he reached the intersection with Spearwood Road causing the car to fishtail down the road. The driver then drove towards Undoolya Road doing burnouts causing the tyres to smoke.

The driver was summonsed to appear in the Alice Springs Magistrates Court yesterday. He was fined $300 plus $80 victims levy and ordered to have his car impounded for three months as this was his second offence.

Sergeant Conan Robertson said he believed this was the first time a vehicle had been ordered to be impounded for three months by the courts under the Northern Territory's anti-hooning legislation.

"You would think this driver learned his lesson when he was caught hooning the first time in September last year," Sgt Robertson said.

"On that occasion he was issued with a fine and had his car impounded for 48 hours. As the April offence was the second time he was caught he was brought before the court where he was charged with driving in a disorderly manner and doing burnouts.

"We can only hope this result will provide a deterrent to anyone else who fails to get the message that hooning won't be tolerated. "

Sergeant Robertson said police would like to commend those members of the public who reported this incident.

"Once again it goes to show that the public is not longer prepared to tolerate this type of behaviour and will report it to police, who will take action."

Media Contact:
Theresa Kuilboer
8951 8825