Gravy led to arrest

Press, 11 January 1986, Page 8

Gravy led to arrest

NZPA-AAP Alice Springs A man has appeared in the Alice Springs Magistrate's Court after driving under the influence of gravy. The court was told that the gravy, and the steak beneath it, contained 150 millilitres of rum. Christian Wendel, aged 52, had an unblemished driving record until his son, Steven, cooked him a special lunch. He told Mr Timothy Hinchliffe, S.M., he bad no idea

that Steven had used a small flask of rum to marinate the steak and make the gravy. After lunch, he drove off and was picked up by the police who found he had a blood-alcohol content above the legal limit. Mr Hinchliffe said the defendant was appearing before him “in most unusual circumstances.” Although Wendel bad been drinking the night before, Mr Hinchliffe accepted evidence from Wendel’s

lawyer, Mr Michael Kernot, that he would not have been under the influence of that drinking when he was apprehended.

“When Mr Wendel was apprehended it seems clear he was quite shocked by the reading and at what his son had done,” Mr Hinchliffe said. “His son had done a silly thing,” he said.

Wendel was released on a $5OO ($660) two-year good behaviour bond and ordered to pay $2OO ($264) to his favourite charity.