9 replies to this topic

[camospec]

http://news.ninemsn....ts-accused-hoon

A Perth mechanic charged with recklessly driving a Lamborghini at more than 155km/h has been acquitted by a magistrate who admits he's a Top Gear "tragic".

Police had accused mechanic Leone Antonino Magistro, 53, of driving at high speed on a Perth highway on January 6 this year.

Mr Magistro was at the wheel of a bright yellow 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo he had just picked up from a client, Dr Patrick Nugawela.

The father of two was heading back to his workshop Autodelta in Malaga, in the city's north, when Senior Constable Michael Brent, driving a Ford Falcon, saw the 'Lambo' take off ahead of him with its exhaust belching blue smoke.

Sen Const Brent had told Perth Magistrates Court he tried to keep up with the supercar and had reached 160km/h as he tried to gauge Mr Magostro's speed, but the Lamborghini was far too quick.

On Wednesday, Magistrate Michael Wheeler acquitted Mr Magistro of all charges, saying there was no way the two police officers travelling in a Falcon could accurately determine how fast the Lamborghini was going.

"Ultimately, the police vehicle was so far behind the Lamborghini at all times that when the police vehicle seemed to be doing 160km/h it was impossible to really estimate, or really guesstimate, how fast the (Lamborghini) was moving away from them," the magistrate said.

MR Wheeler said he did not doubt Sen Const Brent's honesty when he told the court the police vehicle was travelling at 160km/h.

But the distance between the two vehicles, 100 to 200 metres, raised questions about the accuracy of the police officer's opinion of what speed Mr Magistro was travelling, he said.

Furthermore, Mr Magistro said, there was never a chance of the police officer's Ford Falcon getting close enough to the Lamborghini to accurately determine its speed.

"With no disrespect to the Ford Falcon could it cut the mustard with the Lamborghini being driven by the accused ... it couldn't even catch my car in all honesty," the magistrate said.

He also raised the issue of police not having pursuit vehicles, saying that Sen Const Brent would probably never have expected it when he arrived in Western Australia from the UK.

"He would have thought he'd never find himself driving a bog standard Ford Falcon when he came to Australia but I suppose that's what bean counters do," the magistrate said.

Mr Magistro was acquitted of reckless driving by Mr Wheeler, who also found there was no evidence he was driving dangerously.

Before handing down his judgment, Mr Wheeler told the court he had a keen interest and vast knowledge of "useless information" about sports cars.

"I have to confess, I'm a Top Gear (the high-rating TV motoring show) tragic and know so much useless information about (the 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo) I have to disregard," he said.

"I know (that) in 2006 Top Gear named the Lamborghini Gallardo as the dream car of the year. (Top Gear host) Jeremy Clarkson bought one, in fact, in 2006."

He also noted that he watched Top Gear on Tuesday night when the celebrity guest was actress Kristin Scott Thomas who said she was about to buy a Lamborghini Gallardo.

Mr Magistro was awarded $18,000 in court costs.

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I love the magistrates comment:

"With no disrespect to the Ford Falcon could it cut the mustard with the Lamborghini being driven by the accused ... it couldn't even catch my car in all honesty," the magistrate said.

[Benson93]

Wow there are two sides to a coin!!!
wish all judge's had some common sense with there rulings not only with motor vehicles.
I bet Mr Magistro was happy when he saw Mr wheeler as his judge....a top gear tragic...what are the chances..Ha HA
Bet Mr Wheeler has one on order now that he knows Kristin Scott Thomas got one..Ha (old perv)

Edited by Benson93, 19 November 2010 - 03:36 PM.

[UDLOOZ]

wow.. and got awarded 18k. Good on him! haha

[jlord16]

of taxpayer money.....lol

[SiKnEsS]

im sure he is a taxpayer also m8!,

[Falconxf88]

Hahahaha Dan are you high?

Hoons dont pay tax.

[jlord16]

SiKnEsS, on 20 November 2010 - 05:49 PM, said:

im sure he is a taxpayer also m8!,

thanks captain obvious

[Benson93]

jlord16, on 20 November 2010 - 05:40 PM, said:

of taxpayer money.....lol

Not sure what angle you going with this statement......, but obviously it's tax payers money Captain.

The police with their we can do no wrong attitude would have know his defense before they went to court and the fact they had no proof of his speed etc. with the knowledge that it had a high chance it going his way but didn't drop the case thus the police again wasting tax payers money ($18k) for the sake of not wanting to look at reason.

[protd]

it would have been more than 18k of taxpayers money, have a think of the process it took before he got the final verdict

Edited by protd, 22 November 2010 - 05:51 AM.

[TheVLGarage]

ridiculous.