Serial traffic offender Colin Hughes in Gladstone court after crash

An ex-scaffolder turned serial road pest’s “problematic” history with complying with parole has been detailed in a Central Queensland court where his extensive traffic history proved just as jaw-dropping.

Serial traffic offender Colin Charles Hughes faced Gladstone Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to six charges.

A serial Gladstone traffic offender was disqualified from driving when he crashed his car earlier this year, a court has heard.

Colin Charles Hughes, 53, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on August 2 to six charges including failing to comply with duties of a driver involved in a crash, failing to give way, disqualified driving, possessing drugs and drug items.

The court heard that Hughes was unlicensed when he was involved in a traffic crash on May 19.

He was then caught with 1g of cannabis and a pipe on July 18.

The court heard that Hughes had an eight-page criminal history and a six-page traffic history.

“There is a history of unlicensed driving and drug-driving,” police prosecutor Jennifer Leach said.

“(Hughes) has had the benefit of good behaviour (orders), fines, probation, suspended sentences, parole, terms of imprisonment – and nothing seems to deter (him) from committing further offences.”

The court heard that Hughes was currently on a suspended sentence for traffic offending and another for drug offending.

Colin Charles Hughes.

The prosecution sought $370 restitution for damage caused to the other vehicle in the crash.

Solicitor Rio Ramos asked Acting Magistrate Athol Kennedy to take into account the cannabis Hughes was caught with was a “minute” amount for personal use.

Ms Ramos said Hughes, a former rigger and scaffolder, had “significant medical health concerns”.

A probation and parole officer told the court that Hughes’ engagement with his last parole order was “problematic” because he had a “long record of noncompliance” in terms of addressing his issues, and eight failures to report.

Mr Kennedy sentenced Hughes to six months’ jail and activated the suspended sentences with immediate parole.

Hughes was ordered to pay $370 restitution and he was disqualified from driving for two years.

Convictions were recorded.