Easy, tiger.
A reckless driver known as the “Belltown Hellcat” — who films viral videos of himself loudly speeding more than 100 mph in a souped-up Dodge Charger — “made a mockery” of a Seattle-area court this week, a prosecutor said.
Speed demon Miles Hudson, 21 — who has racked up $83,000 in fines driving the tiger-print-painted ride — appeared in court through a video call with the camera turned off Wednesday, irking prosecutors, according to KOMO News.
When asked to turn the camera on, he was seen wearing a ski mask, sunglasses and a hood before bizarrely claiming the gear was “for religious reasons” without elaborating.
“He appears to be making a mockery of this hearing and the city is concerned that he is not obeying the court’s order,” Assistant City Attorney James Kenny told the judge.
The rubber-burning rascal has enraged locals for weeks by refusing to fix the car’s noisy exhaust, which neighbors say emits a loud “popping” noise that keeps them up at all hours.
Hudson had requested the court hearing to get a bench warrant thrown out on a stalking and harassment case unrelated to his wild driving.
In that case, he’s accused of harassing an ex-girlfriend, sharing revenge porn and showing up at her work with a sign reading “I’m delusional for you” before refusing to leave, according to King5.com
In his videos, Hudson is shown zooming through town and doing donuts in the yellow Dodge Charger “Hellcat” muscle car, which features flashy interior lights.
He claims his videos have raked in more than 700,000 followers on social media.
During the hearing Wednesday, Judge Willie Gregory asked Hudson to remove his mask, but his lawyer, Emma Rekart, replied it’s part of his faith.
“He did state that his face covering, he does have to wear that for religious reasons,” Rekart told the judge, according to FOX 13 Seattle.
But Gregory agreed that Hudson had been disrespectful to the court and ultimately left the bench warrant in place while striking the hearing from the record.
“I think that he is not taking this seriously, but I’m going to take it serious and I’m going to keep the bench warrant in effect,” Gregory said.
Hudson was previously hit with a fine of $1,300 for every day his car’s exhaust pipe was not fixed, according to court records. In March, he was charged with two counts of reckless driving.
Hudson’s next court appearance is set for Monday. He has yet to pay any of his $83,000 in fines, prosecutors said.
