Andrew Stuart Brand: Man pleads not guilty to speeding charge, argues no speed limit in “unrestricted” zone

A man who accused of going 151km/h in a 110km/h zone has denied the charge in a chaotic court appearance where he represented himself and repeatedly spoke over the magistrate. Andrew Stuart Brand appeared in Narrogin Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with exceeding the speed limit over 41km/h. The 66-year-old represented himself at his first hearing and pleaded not guilty to the charge without seeking legal advice. Police prosecutor Sgt Natalie Parker told the court that a police speed camera recorded Mr Brand reaching 151km/h in an 110km/h zone on Albany Highway at North Bannister on August 19. Mr Brand said the road was in an “unrestricted zone” — which he understood meant there was no speed limit — to which Magistrate Erin O’Donnell replied that every road in Western Australia has one. When Mr Brand tried to argue that the case had grounds for dismissal, Ms O’Donnell said “that will not be happening” and told him to stop interrupting her as he repeatedly tried to speak over her. Mr Brand asked if the speed camera abides by Australian standards, how it was set up, and the location, and said his charge was a conflict of interest because two of his family members are police officers. Mr Brand also said that he was not sure of the exact location of the speed camera but believed his speed may have been recorded when he had sped up to overtake a road train before the overtaking lane ran out. “Overtaking a road train is not a defence,” Ms O’Donnell said. Mr Brand will return to court for trial on March 19. Some remote roads in WA have derestricted speed signs. In these areas, the maximum speed limit is the State default speed, 110km/h.