Motorbike rider Reuben Mann sentenced after Gladstone police pursuit

A young motorbike rider who pulled off a dangerous getaway from police has blamed “bad egg” friends for his poor choices and behaviour.

Reuben Locklan Mann was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court on April 3.

A young mechanic who evaded police on his motorbike, at one stage riding over a median strip and travelling on the wrong side of the road to get away, has copped an $8000 fine.

Reuben Locklan Mann’s bike had no number plate attached when it was seen by police who were conducting morning patrols in the Gladstone suburb of Clinton.

Mann was riding southbound on the Dawson Highway when police activated “lights and sirens” and did a U-turn to intercept him.

He initially pulled over to the side of the highway and police stopped alongside him.

But things got worse for Mann when he decided to accelerate away and turn onto Harvey Road.

Police then followed with lights and sirens activated, but Mann ignored several suitable areas to stop and kept going.

After turning onto Harvey Road, Mann began swerving between lanes and tailgating another motorist.

The “erratic and unpredictable” manner of his riding caused other drivers to react to stay safe.

Mann then swerved over a median strip onto the wrong side of the road, where he continued against the flow of traffic for about 20 metres before returning to the correct side.

He continued southbound on Harvey Road and police called off their pursuit.

Reuben Locklan Mann.

Mann, 22, accepted this version of events as told by police prosecution in Gladstone Magistrates Court on April 3 where he pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, failing to keep to the left of a median strip, not having a number plate attached, evasion and unlicensed driving (SPER suspended).

The offences all arose from the same incident on November 19.

The court heard Mann had a one-page criminal history and his two-page traffic record included prior offences of drug-driving, drink-driving, unlicensed driving and speeding.

Solicitor Cam Schroder said Mann was working as a mechanic at Sam’s Garage, Boyne Island, and he hoped to get work as a sandblaster in the future.

Mr Schroder said Mann had recognised he was associating with the wrong people.

“He has identified friends that he’s been running with that he has called ‘bad eggs’ and (he has been) deliberately staying away from those to avoid trouble in the future,” Mr Schroder said.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan fined Mann $8000 and disqualified him from driving for two years and one month.

Traffic convictions were recorded.