Alex Rankin sentenced at Gladstone for drug, evasion offences

A meth crim who committed a string of offences while using half a gram of the drug a day “at his worst” was extremely fearful his ill mum would pass away while he was in custody, a court has heard.

Alex James Rankin, 26, was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court for offences including evasion in company. Generic image.

A Central Queensland meth crim who stole from Bunnings and evaded police in a car pursuit has been sentenced.

Alex James Rankin, 26, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to charges including possessing dangerous drugs, possessing restricted medicines, stealing, evasion in company, disqualified driving, and failing to comply with duties of a driver involved in a crash.

The court heard that in April last year, Rankin stole tools valued at $219 from Bunnings Gladstone and later that month at Rockhampton, he was caught with 5g of cannabis and a restricted medicine.

Then in July, Rankin was the driver in a crash at Gladstone Central and he did not stop at the scene.

The court was told he was driving in the carpark at the Central Lane Hotel and when he pulled into a parking spot, he hit a parked car.

Rankin immediately reversed out and while doing so, he “scraped” the other vehicle before leaving.

Then on November 8 last year, Rankin was driving on the Dawson Hwy at Clinton when police activated lights and sirens in an attempt to intercept him.

With a passenger in the vehicle, Rankin accelerated and veered onto the wrong side of the road, and police terminated their pursuit.

The court heard Rankin had previous evasion offending on his criminal history.

Solicitor Cassandra Ditchfield said prior to Rankin’s incarceration, he was looking for employment.

Ms Ditchfield said Rankin had gained 15kg since being in custody as a result of not using methamphetamine.

She said he had started using meth when he was 18 years old and “at his worst” he was using half a gram a day.

The solicitor said Rankin’s motivation to stay out of trouble was his mother who had been diagnosed with leukaemia.

“He wants to be there to support her,” Ms Ditchfield said.

“He’s also extremely fearful that she would pass while he’s in custody - she is his world.”

Magistrate Edwina Rowan sentenced Rankin to six months’ jail with immediate parole release, declaring 72 days’ pre-sentence custody as time already served.

Ms Rowan also placed Rankin on 12 months probation with conditions and disqualified him from driving for two years and five months.

Rankin was also ordered to pay $219 restitution and convictions were recorded.