Harley Lee Trindall pleads guilty to traffic offences in Bundaberg Magistrates Court

A drug addict dad, turned away from rehab facilities, went on to launch a frightening onslaught against police officers on Bundaberg streets.

A harrowing letter spelled out a Bundaberg father-of-three’s battle with drug addiction and his desire to get help, only to be turned away.

Magistrate Edwina Rowan told Bundaberg Magistrates Court the lack of support services were concerning, as Harley Lee Trindall, 32, knew he offended while using drugs.

Denied a bed at any facility, he spiralled back into crime.

The court was told Trindall launched a frightening onslaught against police officers on May 22, 2022, when he was busted driving disqualified and without plates.

Trindall turned onto Waterview Rd, but his getaway was cut short because there was water over the road.

As police tried to stop him, Trindall drove towards the police car and swerved around it a number of times before driving around officers at a slow speed, the court was told.

Between August 22 and 27, 2022, Trindall was implicated in the use of a stolen Hilux ute which had been stolen from a farm by unknown people on Langbeckers Rd.

Fingerprints on the vehicle, which would later be found burnt out, were a match for Trindall, but the court heard he had not been involved in the theft of the car or its destruction, but rather had used the vehicle to move a motorbike whilst there was a possibility he knew it was stolen.

Trindall was also driving a Nissan Pathfinder which was reported stolen from Norville in September, when he stole $49.70 in fuel from the United service station at Kepnock and $116.35 in fuel from the BP at the airport a day later.

On September 5, 2022, Trindall’s fingerprints were found on a stolen Triumph motorcycle.

He was arrested on September 11, leading to police finding a syringe in his pocket.

Harley Lee Trindall.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Grant Klaassen told the court Trindall, who appeared via video link from custody, had a “concerning history of like offences” and argued for a term of imprisonment.

Defence lawyer Gavin James said his Sydney-born client had completed a traineeship in panel beating and also had qualifications in civil engineering.

Mr James said his client started to use drugs socially in 2014.

The court heard the letter Trindall wrote to the court showed self-awareness around his drug use being a major factor in his offending.

“It certainly paints a picture of someone who is a prolific traffic offender, but also someone, who it seems, has struggled since 2014 with the use of illicit drugs,” Ms Rowan said.

“Mr Trindall, can I say, I've had regard to your letter which you’ve written to the court. That letter is something which I have placed considerable weight on and, in particular, the fact that it indicates that you take full responsibility for your actions and the charges.

“It clearly acknowledges that you've been dealing with a very significant drug problem for many years.”

Bundaberg Court House.

Ms Rowan lamented the lack of support services available.

“You've told me you’ve been clean while you’re in jail and unfortunately you’re on wait lists to help you with your drug use,” she said.

“It’s most unfortunate that those programs have not been able to be offered to you any earlier, in a custodial environment.”

Ms Rowan said Trindall had been attempting to take some “very significant steps” to get into residential drug rehabilitation before being taken into custody.

“It's certainly very concerning that there are not the services available in the local area for residential drug rehabilitation and it seems that when you were ready and willing to enter residential drug rehabilitation there was... not a bed available to you.

“That is one of the most concerning aspects of your matter.”

The court heard Trindall had entered early pleas of guilty.

He pleaded guilty to one count of driving without due care and attention, three counts of driving while on a court-ordered disqualification, two counts of unlawful use of motor vehicles, one count of unlawful possession of a motor vehicle, one count of failing to properly dispose of a syringe and two counts of stealing.

For each charge of driving while disqualified by a court order, Trindall was convicted and sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment, and on each charge he was disqualified from driving for two years.

For driving without due care and attention on May 22, he was convicted sentenced to six months.

For each charge of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, he was sentenced to six months’ jail, with each of stealing charge earning him seven days’ jail.

Trindall was convicted and not further punished for failing to properly dispose of a syringe.

For unlawful possession of a motor vehicle he was convicted and sentenced to three months’ prison.

All terms were current and he will be eligible to apply for parole from November 2, 2022.

One hundred and 10 days of pre-sentence custody was declared as time served.