
Now in his 60th year, Lavington truck driver William King is rated by his boss as a careful professional who does a challenging job very well.
But a few weeks ago, on getting behind the wheel of his Chrysler 300c sedan, he turned into something else.
And that other person, Albury Local Court magistrate Miranda Moody observed on Monday, was more of the teenage hoon variety.
IN OTHER NEWS:
He indeed wanted to be "king" of a stretch of Union Road, Lavington, hoping all that burning of rubber, spitting-out smoke that no one could see through to the other side, would impress his mates.
It was not revealed if they were, but Ms Moody certainly was not.
"What a stupid thing to do," she said.
"It's like the actions of a childish man-boy."
Ms Moody said it was clear King "had a rush of blood to the head".
King, 59, pleaded guilty to a charge of interfering with a person's enjoyment or risking their safety.
He also applied to the court to have his seized car returned to him, after 22 days' impounded by the police.
Defence lawyer Graham Lamond said the time spent without the vehicle had been difficult for King, who also faced $704 in fees.
The court heard how police were heading west in Union Road on October 24, about 5.20pm, when they saw King's Chrysler parked by the kerb, near Yarramba Crescent.
King then accelerated harshly, the wheels losing traction and blowing-off heavy smoke for about 10 seconds.
He later admitted to police he was "showing off" to his friends, who were standing nearby.
King got a six-month conditional release order, without conviction.
And he got back his car.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @bordermail
- Follow us on Instagram @bordermail
- Follow us on Google News