Judge denies Christmas bail plea

A New Norfolk man will likely spend Christmas on remand after he was caught drink driving twice in one day and driving with a police clamp still attached.

Christopher Glen Basso, 59, of New Norfolk, was last week charged with two counts of drink driving, failing to wear a seatbelt, driving without a licence, three counts of driving while disqualified and unlawful interference with a clamped vehicle.

In the Magistrates Court in Hobart before Magistrate Reg Marron yesterday, Mr Basso’s matter was adjourned until January 11.

He is yet to enter a plea and was remanded in custody.

“It’s coming up to Christmas and mum and dad aren’t well — I’d like to be with them,” Mr Basso told the court.

Magistrate Marron denied the request.

Police said Mr Basso was intercepted in New Norfolk and was charged with high range drink driving after recording a blood-alcohol concentration reading of 0.16 and was disqualified from driving on the spot. Soon after his release, police discovered the man’s vehicle missing from where he was intercepted and CCTV showed he had allegedly returned to the car with spare keys and continued driving it.

A clamp was installed after he was located by police near the New Norfolk Bridge.

“Police received calls ... regarding a vehicle being driven in New Norfolk with a police clamp attached,” police said.