Caught at 213kmh in mum’s car

A man caught hooning down the Waikato Expressway at 213kmh in his mother’s Honda Civic managed to avoid jail, but could not escape the ire of a district court judge.

‘‘Go away and grow up,’’ Judge Philip Connell told Auckland man Tyler Phillip Knolles, 22, when he appeared in the Hamilton District Court yesterday on charges of dangerous driving and driving while suspended.

It was about 7pm on Friday, February 16, when a police patrol spotted Knolles not far from Tamahere, travelling south at close to twice the posted speed limit of 110kmh.

He was pulled over by the police.

As the police summary of facts reveals, he told them he was ‘‘not really focused’’ on his speed and that what he was doing ‘‘was comfortable for the car’’.

‘‘Just how dumb does that sound now?’’ Judge Connell remarked.

Knolles’ counsel, Mitchell Staub, said his client was remorseful and would change his ways when behind the wheel in future.

Judge Connell sentenced Knolles to three months’ community detention, 100 hours’ community work and 12 months’ supervision. He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Knolles’ mother will also be issued with a warning under section 129B of the Sentencing Act, informing her that if her son commits another driving offence while behind the wheel of her Honda it will very likely be confiscated.