Man gets jail time for driving stolen car, stealing fuel and evading taxi fare
The man, who was on parole at the time, got into a scuffle with the car’s previous owner who recognised the missing vehicle going past and confronted him before he bolted from the scene.
Police & Courts
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A court has heard how a man got into a scuffle after he was sprung driving a stolen vehicle before running off - but he wasn’t too hard to track down, leaving his bank card behind when he bolted.
Mitchell Kieran Joyce pleaded guilty in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Monday to a number of offences including unlawful use of a vehicle, stealing and fare evasion.
The court heard the car keys were stolen from a local business on April 20 and the vehicle was also seen driving dangerously at Maryborough.
The court heard the car was seen on April 23 was seen driving on Barolin St by the person who had sold it to the business.
Knowing the vehicle was stolen, the man followed the car and approached the driver before taking the keys out of the ignition.
The driver identified himself to the man as “Joycey” and said he didn’t steal the car but swapped it for a motorbike.
A short scuffle broke out between the pair before Joyce left on foot, leaving behind a bank card with his name on it.
The court heard Joyce had also driven off without paying for fuel on two occasions at Moore Park Beach and Walkervale.
On March 24 he caught a taxi from Kalkie to Burnett Heads but left the cab without paying the fare which was $36.10.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Dean Burgess said Joyce was on parole at the time of the offences.
Joyce, who was self represented, appeared in court by videolink from the Woodford Correctional Centre.
He said the parole had been indefinitely suspended and had to show cause.
Joyce said what he did was “stupid” and he “didn’t have to do it”.
Magistrate Andrew Moloney sentenced Joyce to six months imprisonment which was wholly suspended for two year.
He was also ordered to pay restitution for the taxi fare.
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