A 37-YEAR-OLD Branxholme man was convicted and fined for “hoon behaviour” in the Hamilton Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday.

Ben Schultz pleaded guilty to the driving charges and was represented in court by Michael Fuller.

Police prosecutor leading senior constable, Paul Harris, told the court that on March 18, 2023 at about 3.15pm, a witness observed Schultz driving south on Mount Baimbridge Road, Hamilton.

He was said to have intentionally accelerated and lost traction causing the vehicle to travel in a sideway motion and collide with a Toyota, causing damages to the road and signage.

The court heard the vehicle stopped but then continued to a Burns Street address.

Although the incident occurred on a Saturday, it took place near Baimbridge College when students and staff were in attendance.

Hamilton police were called and viewed CCTV footage which showed part of the incident.

Police were told by a witness they heard a loud bang and observed the vehicle fleeing at a fast rate of speed.

When police attended the address, they observed the vehicle had incurred recent extensive damage and questioned the man and observed the engine of his vehicle was still warm.

The court heard Schultz made full admissions as the driver and said to police he decided to “put the boot into it and lost it”.

“I just kept going,” Schultz said.

His vehicle was subsequently impounded.

Mr Fuller said his client conceded it was “idiotic driving and that it may have caused other road users to feel fear”.

He said it was the first time his client had driven the vehicle in some time and thought everything would be “hunky dory”.

“He put the foot down too much,” Mr Fuller said.

He said his client agreed with the police summary that was read to the court, other than the notion he attempted to hide his vehicle after the incident. He said his client covered his vehicle to protect it from bird droppings.

Mr Fuller argued the event occurred on a Saturday afternoon and presented no danger to pedestrians or other road users at the time but he conceded his actions were an “idiotic spur of moment”.

Mr Fuller said his client had never been in trouble with police before.

He said this had been a “sobering experience for him and is very sorry”.

“My client has entered a plea of guilty at the first opportunity and has an unblemished traffic history,” Mr Fuller said.

Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge said the offending was too serious to not invoke a mandatory loss of licence for six months and ordered he participate in a safe driving program.

“It beggars believe that a 37-year-old, presumably someone who is mature and has a good driving record, would behave like an 18-year-old hoon.

“It’s extraordinary (behaviour that can have) significant consequences.”

Magistrate Lethbridge also convicted and fined Schultz $950 to be paid to the court fund.