'Lamborghini seized after mechanic's 160kph joyride'

[balthazarr]

From: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...07/2787603.htm

Lamborghini seized after mechanic's 160kph joyride

The owner of a luxury sports car seized by police under hoon laws says he is being punished for an offence someone else is alleged to have committed.

Patrick Nugawela handed his Lamborghini to a mechanic at a Perth garage and police allege the 53-year-old mechanic was caught driving the sports car yesterday at 160 kilometres per hour in a 90 kph zone in Perth's northern suburbs.

The vehicle has been impounded for 28 days.

Dr Nugawela says he made an application to have the car returned but it was declined by police.

"I have basically been subjected to mandatory sentencing without trial," he said.

He says patient care at his surgery will be affected by the loss of his vehicle and he does not think he will be compensated.

"I don't think I can sustain a financial hardship case," he said.

But WA Police Minister Rob Johnson stands by the move.

"It's an issue he's got to take up with the garage owner," the minister said.

"It's not something that I'm prepared to change the law for.

"He can hire a vehicle and I would suggest under common law he can then claim the cost of that and probably inconvenience to the garage owner."

The mechanic will face court charged with reckless driving.

Police say they had no choice but to seize the Lamborghini under the new hoon legislation.

Assistant Commissioner Wayne Gregson says officers are obliged by law to impound the vehicle for 28 days.

"There is no provision to allow us to return motor vehicles unless they meet very specific circumstances," he said.

"Those circumstances are that the vehicle is a hire car, a stolen car, has not been seized originally in accordance with the act or would cause extraordinary hardship to the owner of the motor vehicle."

No choice but to seize it? Not sure about that... police have pretty wide discretion when performing their duties.

I'd argue that the car was stolen... the car was left for repair, not hooning around at 160km/h.