Mother of three Leisa Maree Bale faces Dalby Magistrates Court, pleads guilty to dangerous operation of vehicle

A mother with a ‘hefty’ SPER debt claims she’s turned a new leaf since fleeing from police after they pulled her over for speeding on a busy highway and veering into opposite lanes. See what happened in court.

A mother busted speeding and swerving into opposite lanes of a highway before taking off from police after she was pulled over has told a court she was “shocked” and “remorseful” for her behaviour.

Leisa Maree Bale was stopped by police after speeding along the Warrego Highway on March 26.

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins told Dalby Magistrates Court the mother was doing 150km/h in a 100km zone.

He said when Bale was asked for her name and licence she gave the police a false ID with another woman’s name and photo, then became agitated and drove off.

“There’s a level of danger as police had to step back when she took off,” Sergeant Hutchins said.

“It’s the high speeding and driving on the wrong side of the road that’s the worst part.”

The court was told police followed the 35-year-old down multiple Dalby streets before losing her, so they attended the address on the ID the woman provided earlier.

“(The residents) said someone stole their car, they had a party the previous night but didn’t make an actual complaint,“ Sergeant Hutchins said.

He highlighted Bale’s previous criminal history which included a number of traffic offences.

“It’s clearly a criminal history that’s of concern.”

Leisa Maree Bale was sentenced in Dalby Magistrates Court 2022. Picture: Facebook

Defence lawyer Julia Molloy said her client had relapsed and began taking drugs again after the passing of a family member last year and submitted a reference letter from Bale’s roommate who attested to her friend’s change in character recently.

“The letters of support shows she doesn’t shy away from taking responsibility for her actions, she said she simply wasn’t thinking at the time,” Ms Molloy said.

“She was shocked when she realised what had happened and is very remorseful.”

Magistrate Kerrie O’Callaghan said while the housemate’s letter outlines a clear change in behaviour, that it was “unfortunate” she committed the offences while already on a suspended sentence and had a “hefty” SPER debt of $9000.

The woman pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle, driving with excessive speed, contravening a police requirement, obstructing police and driving while disqualified.

She was sentenced to one month jail, released on immediate parole for six months and disqualified from driving for two years.