Darren Leigh Broad, 46, was caught drunk at the wheel of his panel van in December 1980 - a time when Territorians could still get away with just about anything. He had an an esky full of beer on the passenger seat and a half-drunk bottle in a "cooler".
Broad, then just 19, had also just driven through Annaburroo camp site, near the Mary River, "narrowly missing" campers who reported him to police for his mad driving. Police caught up with him "veering from side to side" on the Point Stuart Rd.
But more surprising - and probably typical of those wild Territory days - was the state of his car. The Holden panel van had: NO doors; NO windscreen; NO mud guards; NO muffler; NO tail lights; NO bonnet; NO head lights; NO registration plates; BALD tyres; and AN "excessive leak" from the engine.
Broad said he only became aware of the 27-year-old charges "hanging over his head" two months ago. He pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving without due care, driving an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle and danger-ous driving. He told the court he "must have been a bit silly".
Magistrate John Lowndes said it was a "very unusual" case that was "just bordering on ancient". He convicted the 46-year-old man on all charges but with no further penalty.
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