‘Legendary’ Cold Chisel rocker cops speeding warning
Miklos Bolza |
Cold Chisel guitarist Ian Moss will have to watch his speed whether he’s taking the last car out of Sydney or passing flame trees as a weary driver.
The 70-year-old was nabbed by police going 115km/h in a 100km/h zone over the Labour Day long weekend in October while driving to Brisbane from Armidale in NSW’s northern tablelands.
Moss is one of the founding members of Cold Chisel which is known for hit rock ‘n roll classics like Khe Sanh, Flame Trees, Cheap Wine and Choir Girl.
Opting to contest the matter in court, an administrative snafu meant the guitarist was convicted and fined in his absence.
He appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday where his lawyer Paul McGirr sought to throw out the conviction.
“Oh, it’s Mr Moss,” magistrate Christine Haskett recognising the Cold Chisel founding member.
“I don’t want to embarrass him, he looks better than me,” said Mr McGirr.
Moss had his Peugeot on cruise control at the time he was caught by police, the court was told.
The car did not have an automatic braking mechanism and sped up going down a hill, Mr McGirr said.
He described his client as a modest man who was not a jetsetter.
“He’s one of those old school rockers who likes to get into his car and drive,” the lawyer told Ms Haskett.
The 70-year-old appeared in court supported by the band’s tour manager Chris Bastick.
Mr Bastick provided written evidence to the magistrate that Moss had done a lot for charity, including by driving to remote towns and doing concerts there.
“Because of his legendary status … people will turn up anywhere and pay to listen to him,” Mr McGirr said.
Moss was also travelling to the US to go on a motorcycling trip and a conviction would upend all of that, his lawyer argued.
As well as the administrative matter leading to the conviction in his absence, Moss had also had his licence suspended for a month in error, the court was told.
“‘It’s been a real run-around with respect to this particular matter,” Mr McGirr said.
Ms Haskett agreed that a conviction was not warranted, instead imposing a three-month conditional release order.
“Just keep an eye on your speeding,” she warned Moss.
Outside court, the Cold Chisel guitarist did not comment to reporters.
Mr McGirr said his client was happy with the result.
“He’s done a lot for the community and he’s happy to move on,” he said.
AAP
