Robert Noel Hughes to spend two weeks in prison after Magistrate sensationally jails him

A Gladstone man in his 30s will spend two weeks behind bars after he was caught by police driving unlicensed just four days after being disqualified. Find out how the Magistrate reacted.

A Gladstone Magistrate has sent an ominous message to unlicensed drivers in the region by jailing a repeat offender.

Robert Noel Hughes, 32, pleaded guilty in the Gladstone Magistrates Court on Monday to unlicensed driving and contravening a direction or requirement.

On August 14, Gladstone police intercepted Hughes driving a Ford Fiesta on Don Young Drive, Kirkwood.

Hughes immediately made admissions to being unlicensed and police checks confirmed he was disqualified by court order from the Gladstone Magistrates Court just four days previous for three months.

Hughes said he had no emergency reason for driving, but was going to pick up a friend from a party.

He was issued a notice to appear in the Gladstone Magistrates Court.

Magistrate Bevan Manthey told the court unlicensed driving was a huge issue in the community.

“The amount of unlicensed driving occurrences I have come through my courtroom is becoming unacceptable and I have to send a message to the community,” he said.

“Your punishment must send a message to both yourself and the community that unlicensed driving will not be tolerated.

“If people want to take the punt to drive while unlicensed they can expect to be apprehended and punished.”

Mr Manthey convicted and sentenced Hughes to three months imprisonment, wholly suspended for two years after he served two weeks in custody. Convictions were recorded.