Marc takes his crime to heart
2005-02-23 09:05
Cape Town - Comedian Marc Lottering grinned broadly on Tuesday, but
refused to comment after being sentenced to a fine of R3 000 by a
Cape Town magistrate for drunk driving.
He had pleaded guilty to the charge.
Magistrate Herman van der Merwe sentenced Lottering, 37, to pay a
fine of R9 000 but suspended R6 000 for five years.
He said during his ruling that he was glad Lottering had gained
something positive from a negative experience.
According to Peter Torrington, Lottering's lawyer, the comedian's
one-man performance, Crash, had been especially created to draw
attention to the dangers of driving while drunk.
''Pamphlets of the Arrive Safely campaign are distributed among the
audience and my client has promised this campaign and the Drive Alive
organisation R5 000,'' he said.
Lottering was arrested in Sea Point last year after crashing into a
stationary vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. He damaged two
other cars in the process.
The case was postponed on a number of occasions and eventually
scrapped from the roll. However, it was re-opened early this year.
Torrington said Lottering would not only cover the costs of damage to
his own vehicle, but also to that of the other three cars.
After the accident, Lottering apparently took it upon himself to seek
psychological counselling.