Driver’s offensive spray
Cops’ eye in sky snares hoon with bound rabbit
A HOON driver told police he had no idea a rabbit was hanging from the towbar of the car he was doing burnouts and fishtails in at Point Henry.
Airborne police spotted Connewarre’s Jackson Lawn in his 2002 Ford Falcon while patrolling the “notorious” hoon hangout on April 14, Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday.
Police prosecutor Acting Senior Sergeant Mick Graham said the rabbit was found dead when officers on the ground arrested Lawn later that night.
Police photos showed the animal with its front paws bound together and looped over the tow bar.
While Sen-Sgt Graham said footage from the air wing suggested Lawn was present when it was hung from the vehicle, the defendant’s lawyer Bill Sizeland told the court his client had been surprised to learn the animal was attached to his car.
Mr Sizeland said Lawn, 23, believed his friends had put it on the tow bar while he wasn’t looking, and that he understood the animal was dead when that happened.
“He didn’t know (it was there) until it was pointed out to him,” Mr Sizeland.
Lawn, who works as a tree lopper, did not face any animal cruelty charges in court yesterday, but pleaded guilty to hooning offences and offensive behaviour.
The latter charge arose because of the man’s response to police efforts to impound his $500 vehicle.
Rather than seizing it on the spot, officers allowed him the cheaper option of surrendering it to the Ocean Grove police station later that week.
But instead of delivering the vehicle as arranged, Lawn towed it to the police station and dumped it near the front door late at night with a series of offensive messages sprayed on to it, such as “f--- cops”.
The court was also told the man also called a police officer a “slut” after he was interviewed about his driving at Point Henry.
Mr Sizeland emphasised his client was a hard worker and that his driving that night had not endangered anyone.
“He works hard and plays hard, and clearly he’s got a bit of growing up to do,” Mr Size- land said.
“I don’t think he fully acknowledged at the time how offensive his behaviour was in dumping that vehicle at the police station.”
Although Mr Sizeland fought to protect the man’s licence, magistrate Peter Mellas decided to ban him from the roads for a month, as well as fine him $750.
“You’ve got to change your attitude,” Mr Mellas told Lawn.
“You’re starting to look like someone who doesn’t think the rules apply to them.”
“He works hard and plays hard, and clearly he’s got a bit of growing up to do.” LAWYER BILL SIZELAND