Blair-Ethan John Wilson sentenced for armed robbery and carjacking offences

A teenager went on a 15-day drug-fuelled crime spree ending in a dangerous car chase reaching speeds of 200km/h, it was revealed in a Bundaberg court.

Bundaberg District Court heard that Blair-Ethan John Wilson went on a 15-day crime spree ending in a 200km/h car chase with police.

A young man went on an ice-fuelled 15-day crime spree culminating in a 200km/h car chase with police after a service station carjacking.

Blair-Ethan John Wilson, 18, pleaded guilty in Bundaberg District Court on Thursday to several offences including armed robbery, attempted burglary, stealing and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The court heard that after a spate of crimes through early January including breaking into houses armed with a knife and stealing from a Foodworks, Wilson and a companion drove a stolen BMW X1 at speeds up to 130km/h along the Bruce Highway on January 17, 2023.

After driving the car into a caravan park off the highway, Wilson exited the car and threatened some residents with a Gel Blaster that looked like a handgun.

At the sound of approaching police sirens the pair ran back into the car and drove off, reaching speeds of 170km/h while evading police who called off the chase due to heavy rain falling at the time.

Dashcam footage provided by the public showed the BMW X1 recklessly overtaking cars with one vehicle taking evasive action to avoid a collision.

Wilson and his companion then drove the car into a service station, exited the BMW X1 and entered another car after forcing out the occupants with the threat of the Gel Blaster.

Wilson drove that car onto the Bruce Highway and then turned onto a road heading south off the highway.

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Police caught up with them and resumed the chase, with Wilson reaching speeds of 200km/h while overtaking other cars on corners and crests of the road.

Police deployed a tyre deflation device on a road near the Gin Gin Bridge which successfully punctured all four tyres.

Despite the four punctured tyres, Wilson continued driving at high speeds before crashing the car in front of another service station following which he and his accomplice were apprehended by police.

Crown prosecutor Carla Ahern told the court that Wilson did not participate in a police interview immediately after being apprehended, saying that he was too tired due to not having slept for three days.

Police attempted to stop the car with a tyre deflation device.

The court heard that this was due to Wilson using the drug ice over that three-day period.

The court heard that Wilson had no criminal history beyond some traffic offences, and Wilson’s barrister, Phillip Hardcastle said Wilson was bullied at school which led to anxiety and depression.

Mr Hardcastle said Wilson, of Caboolture, intended to move in with his grandparents in Southbrook in order to move away from people who were having a bad influence on his behaviour.

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Mr Hardcastle the court the cause of Wilson’s offending was “peer pressure and … young fellows being stupid”.

“I think it’s more than stupid,” Judge Paul Smith KC replied.

Mr Smith took into account Wilson’s age and his early guilty plea in sentencing him to 12 months’ prison followed by a two year probation order during which he must take treatment for his drug addiction.

With time served taken into account Wilson will be released from jail in January 2024.