A great-granny speedster who struck and nearly ran down a police officer who was trying to pull her over could lose her driver’s licence permanently.
Gold Coast woman Ailsa May Locke, 82, today pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to what police described as a ‘scary’ incident.
The court was told she was driving at almost 80km/h in 60km/h zone on Oxley Drive, Coombabah, on the night of April 19 this year.
Police had to leap out of the way as she sped towards them through the radar trap. An officer who was struck on the hand by her side mirror needed hospital treatment for severe bruising and his wedding ring was squashed.
Police with sirens blaring and lights flashing had to pursue Mrs Locke for almost a kilometre before she pulled over, the court heard.
Mrs Locke told police she thought police were road workers or ‘one of those idiots’ – meaning a criminal.
“I just put my foot down,” she told police.
Prosecutor Senior- Constable Nicole Powell said the public had to be protected and Mrs Locke should lose her licence for at least six months.
Sen-Const Powell also sought an order that Queensland Transport reviews Mrs Locke’s competency to hold a licence.
Magistrate Brian Kilmartin said the incident would have been ‘scary’ for Mrs Locke as well given her age and imposed a one-month driving ban.
But he did order a Queensland Transport review of her licence and also fined her $1000.
Outside court, Mrs Locke said she was ‘no hoon’ and was confident of keeping her licence, which she said she needed to drive to work six days a week.
Source: news.com.au