Gladstone’s Jake McInerney caught disqualified driving three days in a row

The reason a Central Queensland man drove while disqualified three days straight and how he got caught each time, has been revealed.

Jake Anthony McInerney, 36, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to three counts of disqualified driving.

A Central Queensland man busted driving while disqualified three days in a row will likely lose his job as a result, a court has heard.

Jake Anthony McInerney, 36, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to three counts of disqualified driving.

The court heard that on May 4, 5 and 6 last year, McInerney was caught driving the same route on Gladstone Benaraby Road, at Toolooa.

Police prosecutor Kelvin Boyd described McInerney’s offending as “continued contempt”.

The court heard while McInerney did not have any previous offences of disqualified driving on his three-page traffic history, he did have previous for unlicensed driving.

Solicitor Cassandra Ditchfield said McInerney worked as a labourer for an industrial company in Gladstone.

“The sad reality is, that the loss of his (driver’s) licence is highly likely to result in the loss of his employment,” Ms Ditchfield said.

Ms Ditchfield tendered references to the court for McInerney.

She also gave an explanation for his offending, saying McInerney had been driving to the gym on each of the three days he was caught by police.

“He suffers from Hemochromatosis (disorder in which extra iron builds up in the body to harmful levels), or has (suffered from it),” Ms Ditchfield said.

Jake Anthony McInerney, 36, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to three counts of disqualified driving.

“That resulted in him being unable to work for a period of time, and that was what was occurring at the time of this offending.

“Because of not being able to work, and other personal factors going on in his life... he found himself struggling with symptoms of depression.

“He was essentially using the gym as an antidepressant — he appreciates of course, that he can’t simply disregard the court’s orders the way he has.”

Ms Ditchfield further said the detection of McInerney’s offending was “somewhat interesting”.

“A particular (police) officer took a personal disliking to my client,” she said.

It was at that point, Magistrate Mary Buchanan interjected, saying: “Well it doesn’t really matter does it? He was driving over and over in disregard to the law.”

Ms Ditchfield responded: “And that’s acknowledged, however it does, it certainly adds flavour to the offending so to speak.”

She said McInerney had since purchased a push bike to get around.

During sentencing, Magistrate Mary Buchanan said McInerney had shown a contemptuous disregard for court orders with his offending.

She fined him $500 for the first offence and $1000 for the second.

For the third, she sentenced him to one month jail, wholly suspended for an operational period of 12 months.

For each of the offences, McInerney was disqualified from driving for two years and he was advised to check with the Transport Department to see if those disqualifications were concurrent or cumulative.

Traffic convictions were recorded.