Saturday, January 28, 2012

Tomic considering complaint against police

Updated January 27, 2012 06:05:50

Rising tennis star Bernard Tomic says he is considering whether to lay a complaint against Gold Coast police after being issued with two traffic infringement notices on Australia Day.

There was a brief stand-off with police at the Tomic family home in Southport, with the 19-year-old refusing to come out and speak to officers.

Police radio transmissions, broadcast on Channel Nine, alerted patrols to watch for a bright orange BMW M3, being driven by Tomic, who was allegedly revving his engine at pedestrians in the restaurant strip of Broadbeach.

After being given one ticket Tomic was ordered to drive straight home, but was stopped and given a second ticket when he allegedly disobeyed the directive.

He was followed home by a police vehicle with lights flashing and parked his car in the driveway behind locked security gates.

Police later entered the house and spoke to Tomic in the presence of his lawyer.

Tomic, who spoke briefly to reporters, said he did nothing wrong and claimed he was being persecuted by police.

"They've given me three tickets and one officer feels like he wants to get me and it's not a good feeling," he said.

"It's all happened on Australia Day when I am trying to have fun with my mates."

Tomic insisted he was allowed to drive on the roads even though he had a restricted licence.

"Absolutely. I was on a visit doing my stuff and enjoying my day and I had my things all planned and someone doesn't like that and wants to stop that," he said.

Inspector Glenn Allen, who spoke to Tomic and his lawyer, former Gold Coast mayor Lex Bell, said the tickets related to the conditions of Tomic's licence, but it was too early for him to say whether police had made a mistake in issuing the infringement notices.

"There is a determination to be made about conditions in relation to his driving that will be decided at a later time," Inspector Allen said.

"That will be determined by an inquiry, if one is required."

Inspector Allen said the Tomic family was considering whether or not to lay a complaint against police.

"Their options are to make a complaint to the Crime and Misconduct Commission or the Ethical Standards Command," he said, adding that the tennis star had been "understanding and reasonable".

Mr Bell refused to discuss Tomic's claims that he was being persecuted.

"He feels he is guiltless in the whole matter, I think you would have to work out how you would feel if you were in Bernard's situation," he said.

"It's not for me to say ... Bernard is my client and I'm doing the best I can to ensure a happy outcome for him."

Tomic, who was named in Australia's Davis Cup squad on Thursday, has a special exemption to drive the $150,000 BMW to and from training and other activities directly related to his tennis.

The car's speed is electronically limited, although its top speed still exceeds 250 kilometres per hour.

Tomic was investigated over complaints of hooning last month but denied the claims, arguing he was the victim of a vendetta by a Gold Coast police officer.

He said at the time the officer who accused him of hooning had told him he wanted to put him in the newspapers.

AAP

Tags: tennis, sport, southport-4215, qld, australia

First posted January 26, 2012 18:02:02


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