Teen banned for riding his cycle while impaired
A 16-year-old who rode his bike after drinking “Chivas and some shots” was banned from all vehicles for a year.Kyle Lorenzo Tucker, from Warwick, consumed the beverages at a friend’s leaving party, Magistrates’ Court heard.Police spotted the teenager kick-starting a motorcycle on Harrington Sound Road just before 1am on February 26.Officers noticed he drove west with his indicator on, and followed him to the junction with Middle Road, Flatts. They started their siren after the bike swerved several times across the centre yellow line.The vehicle failed to stop, but officers grabbed Tucker after he slowed for a taxi on Verdmont Road.Tucker appeared intoxicated, the court heard. Asked if he had been drinking, he replied: “Chivas and some shots.”He was arrested, and his father later attended Hamilton Police Station.Tucker apologised to the court. After Mr Warner pointed out that he was below 18, the legal drinking age, duty counsel Leo Mills said Tucker “was a little early” but cited peer pressure.“It may not be unusual, but that doesn’t mean it’s acceptable,” Mr Warner responded.Citing child endangerment laws used against parents or supervising adults in other countries, he added: “This offence is very specific in its penalties and it would seem I can only deal with this in terms of what is charged ... in my view if we have a 16-year-old behaving in this way, not only is he endangering himself and others, but certainly there must be a lack of supervision by parents.”Fining Tucker $1,000 with 30 days to pay, Mr Warner also banned him from driving for 12 months.