Daniel Ashton fronts Toowoomba court after busted with drug stash

A court heard an “illusive and uncooperative” pot-smoker ignored police who approached him while he was smoking at a fuel bowser with a large stash of drugs in his boot.

A court heard the reason why a young Toowoomba man resisted police during an arrest, was because he was tired of officers harassing him.

Daniel Hayden Ashton was on a probation order when police intercepted him at a service station on December 19, and charged him with a number of drug and driving crimes.

At the Toowoomba Magistrate on Friday, July 7, Ashton pleaded guilty to drug possession, drug driving on a probation licence, damage of police property, knife possession in public, obstructing a police officer, driving an unregistered car while disqualified from driving via a court order, and stealing.

The court heard the one charge of stealing occurred on a different day, and was in relation to a cardboard cutout of a police officer, which Ashton stole from a store in May 2022.

At the Toowoomba Magistrate on Friday, July 7, Daniel Hayden Ashton pleaded guilty to a number of drug-related crimes. Picture: Social Media

Police Prosecutor Anita Paige said when police approached the 24-year-old at the service station, he ignored the officers and refused to give his name.

“He continued to be uncooperative and illusive when asked questions,” she said.

Ms Paige said when Ashton attempted to get in his car, officers informed him that he was being detained for a search.

The court heard a scuffle ensued as Ashton refused to co-operate and continued to resist arrest.

Ms Paige said eventually, an officer managed to get one cuff on Ashton’s wrist, however he continued to push his arms out, which resulted in the remaining cuff swinging into a policewoman’s face and splitting her lip open.

Once detained, officers found 43.6g of cannabis in his boot and a flick knife in a compartment under the steering wheel.

The court heard while in the watch house, Ashton tore into a large cushioned mat causing $232.10 in damages – which he was ordered to pay back at court.

Solicitor Alysha Jacobsen said Ashton had since changed his attitude towards police and accepted they had a job to do, noting on occasion officers “attended upon” him, which resulted in no charges being laid.

The Bouchier Khan Lawyers senior associate said the father of one had a rough upbringing, and had used cannabis since the age of 13.

She said he was recently employed as a cleaner and was trying to obtain medicinal cannabis.

The Toowoomba Court House. Picture: Peta McEachern

Magistrate Louise Shephard said it was reasonable for police to intercept Ashton while he was “smoking at the bowser”.

Ashton cut the magistrate off, and said he was not smoking.

“I’m not going to argue with you,” she told him.

“Perhaps just remain quiet and let me give my sentence… it was not raised by (your lawyer).”

During her sentence, Ms Shephard noted both parties agreed that the injuries sustained to the officer during the incident were unintentional.

She also noted Ashton felt harassed by police, however in the future, he said he would remain calm and comply.

Ashton was fined $1250 and disqualified from driving for two years.

He remains on the pre-existing 18 month probation order.

Originally published as Daniel Ashton fronts Toowoomba court after busted with drug stash