WA:Road rage doctor could lose sports car

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-2010
WA:Road rage doctor could lose sports car

By Angie Raphael

PERTH, Dec 22 AAP - A Perth doctor convicted of road rage will soon learn whether his
Alfa Romeo sports car will be permanently confiscated when a magistrate hands down his
landmark verdict.

Police want to seize the car belonging to Ala'A Mohammed Ali Al Rammahi who earlier
this year pleaded guilty to reckless driving and was fined.

Angry a woman had beeped her horn at him, Al Rammahi followed and repeatedly pulled
in front of her car, traumatising her and her children.

Police are using a 2007 amendment to anti-hoon confiscation legislation that allows
for vehicles to be seized for road rage offences.

Al Rammahi, who owns two medical practices, is fighting the application, claiming he
would suffer severe financial hardship if he lost his car, valued at between $17,000 and
$20,000.

In the Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Al Rammahi's lawyer Max Crispe questioned
the validity of the application.

He argued police technically erred by failing to give his client notice and issued
the application without authority.

Prosecutor Mike Crook said the application should not be dismissed because it was made
"in the spirit" of the legislation.

Magistrate Guiseppe Cicchini said the case could be the first of its kind and queries
over errors with the application had to be resolved.

The court heard that the doctor had financial problems, including a defaulted loan
on a multi-million dollar home. He also still owes about $6000 on his car.

Mr Crook asked Al Rammahi how he expected to make repayments on his car because he
had failed to make the past two.

"I have not paid but (that) doesn't mean that I can't pay," he said.

When pressed further, Al Rammahi snapped: "Do you think I'm lying for $17,000?"

In his closing submissions, Mr Crispe said his client unlikely to re-offend.

Magistrate Cicchini said he would have to consider the doctor's financial and physical
hardship, and other relevant factors including the seriousness of the offence, before
making his decision on Thursday.

AAP anr/ldj/cdh

KEYWORD: RAMMAHI

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