Ian Moss, the renowned guitarist from Cold Chisel, recently found himself in hot water with the law after being caught speeding at 115km/h in a 100km/h zone during the Labour Day long weekend in October. The incident occurred while he was driving from Armidale to Brisbane. At 70 years old, Moss is celebrated as one of the founding members of the iconic Australian rock band, known for hits like “Khe Sanh” and “Flame Trees.”
Initially opting to contest the charges, an administrative error led to Moss being convicted and fined in his absence. However, he appeared at Downing Centre Local Court, where his lawyer, Paul McGirr, sought to overturn the conviction. The presiding magistrate, Christine Haskett, recognized Moss and noted his enduring status in the music industry, while McGirr praised him as a modest man who enjoys driving and is not a “jetsetter.”
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Moss had his Peugeot on cruise control when caught speeding. McGirr explained that the car’s lack of an automatic braking system resulted in it accelerating down a hill. Moss, accompanied by the band’s tour manager, Chris Bastick, received support in court, including testimonials of his charitable efforts in remote communities.
Despite the circumstances, McGirr argued that a conviction would have far-reaching consequences for Moss, who had plans for a motorcycling trip in the US. The court also considered the confusion surrounding his prior license suspension, which had occurred erroneously. After deliberation, Magistrate Haskett ruled that a conviction was unnecessary and instead imposed a three-month conditional release order, reminding Moss to monitor his speed in the future.
Outside the court, Moss opted not to speak to the media, but McGirr stated that the musician was relieved with the outcome and eager to move forward after having contributed significantly to the community throughout his career.