Gumball speeders shed crocodile tears, in court

Photo: Ants Liigus

All three foreigners, caught speeding and arrested in Ida-Viru County, during the international Gumball 3000 luxury car rally, burst into tears in court, begging not to be sent behind bars.

On Tuesday, the atmosphere in Estonian police forces turned intense – knowing a string of ultra-expensive luxury cars was on its way from Russia, participating in an international rally event.

The Ferrari belonging to Michael Andrea, from Zurich, Switzerland, was pulled over in Kohila Commune, at the 159^th kilometre of the Tallinn-Narva highway. On the new section allowing speeds up to 110 km/h, the Swiss-driven vehicle was making 163 km/h.

The violation being heavy, the driver was taken to jailhouse.

Such also was the fate of Antonio Jose (43) from Venezuela, whose Lamborghini was caught by police, after a chase of many kilometres, at the 153 km mark of the same highway. The daredevil’s speedometer was showing 171 km/h, 90 km/h being allowed.

Tears and regret

Facing Viru County Court, yesterday, both men teared up. After Mr Andrea (Switzerland) started stuttering and wiping his eyes, stating his date of birth, Judge Inna Kirsipuu was forced to ask if there was anything disturbing him in the courtroom. The Ferrari-guy said «no».

Michael Andrea said he was sorry. «I don’t know why I was going so fast,» he claimed, adding that he was running late to the rally check point. «There were kids on a bridge. They were happy, seeing my car. They expressed their joy with their hands. I wanted to show off before them. But I understand this was a big mistake, a stupid thing to do,» he said, voice trembling, wiping his eyes.

Having already spent one day in detention, the police wanted  four more days of arrest for him. In his closing remarks, the Ferrari driver, tearfully, kept repeating over and over how sincere was is regret. And that the night in the jailhouse was, indeed, very hard on him.

The court only ruled a €360 fine, counting off €40 for the night spent in jail. Thus, the Swiss speeder has to pay the Estonian state €320.

Thereafter, court went into session over Antonio Jose, living in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. He had reasons to fear the worst, as, in addition to speeding, he stood accused by police in ignoring the officers’ signals, performed dangerous manoeuvres and having no right, actually, to drive a car in Estonia.

The man with Venezuelan and Italian citizenships also, immediately, went into weeping mode. He shook and trembled, held on to the chair for dear life, and let it be known from time to time, by body language, that he was not feeling well. He also was asked by the judge, if he was altogether able to participate in the hearing. To which the man answered in the affirmative.

Police pursuing at 200 km/h

The police video on the chase of Antonio was also watched in court. Revealing that, in pursuit of the Lamborghini, the police vehicle occasionally had to race at over 200 km/h, still not getting closer. Now and then, the runaway was forced to slow down a bit, due to curves and other cars. Finally, the Latin-American stopped – only when the police car reached its side and a policeman showed him, by sign language, to pull over.

The Venezuelan said that he simply did not notice the police car – going full blast with blinkers and sirens on – afterwards failing to find a suitable spot to stop.

«I feel deep regret. I honour and respect your country and your people and I like this land very much,» sobbed Antonio Jose like a character from a classic Latin-American soap opera. He said it wasn’t actually his car, as the owner-friend had asked him to take the wheel, exhausted by the three hours’ waiting at the Russian-Estonian border.

He did not agree with the claim that his Venezuelan driving licence was not valid in Estonia – an international licence required to complement it – as, for years, he has rented cars from respectable car rental companies, in Europe. And, were his licence invalid, these firms would not trust him with their cars.

Feared for career

Antonio Jose, whose shoes carried his own name and picture, also said that he worked in the Venezuelan finance sector, with a monthly salary of €2,500. And, should he be sent to prison, his career would be destroyed. «For, in the finance sector, nobody will ask what you were arrested for,» he explained.

Adding that his wife was coming to meet him in Poland – and she would be frightened, hearing that her husband was in prison.

For Antonio Jose, 10 days of arrest were sought by the police. But in this case, also, the judge decided for a fine. He was sentenced €720, €40 being counted off for the night behind bars. In the accusation of the invalid driving licence, the man was acquitted.

In both cases the judge ruled in favour of fines, as the police was unable to convincingly substantiate why exactly arrest, being a heavier penalty, was best for these men.

Yesterday, yet another luxury-rally-man from Switzerland faced a court hearing, having been caught near Narva, driving at 158 km/h in a 90 km/h zone. Oliver (27) was punished by twenty-four hours of arrest – already behind him – and withdrawal of the right to drive for 5 months. Having heard the judgement, he also wept profusely and heartily hugged the court interpreter.