Ute driver Scott Byrne sentenced for evading Gladstone police

The dramatic moments before police called off their chase of a dangerous young ute driver in Central Queensland have been revealed.

Scott Hayden Byrne, 22, was sentenced for evading police at Gladstone. Generic image.

A young ute driver who was involved in a dramatic police chase which was ultimately called off, has been sentenced.

Scott Hayden Byrne, 22, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to numerous charges including drug driving, drink driving, dangerous operation of a vehicle and evasion.

In relation to the most serious charges of dangerous operation and evasion, the court heard they happened in July last year.

Byrne was driving a black dual cab ute when police tried to intercept him at Gladstone.

Byrne exited a Caltex service station, and police activated lights and sirens.

The court heard Byrne “accelerated sharply” out onto Dawson Rd, before turning left and continuing to accelerate on Hanson Rd.

As Byrne approached the intersection of Hanson Rd and Railway Ave, he “continued at speed and swerved through several vehicles which were slowing for an upcoming red light,” the court was told.

Byrne then went through the intersection on a red light, cutting off vehicles proceeding through it.

Police called off their pursuit.

Prior to that offending, Byrne was caught drink driving (.091) and drug driving (cannabis) at Biloela on February 28 while holding a probationary licence.

Gladstone Courthouse.

Byrne had one-page criminal and traffic histories.

Solicitor Bianca Wieland said Byrne came before the court with “a limited history of any offending”.

“While it (latest offending) is serious offending, he was co-operative with police... he made full admissions to his offending behaviour,” Ms Wieland said.

She said the 44 days Byrne had spent in pre-sentence custody was the first time in his life he had been remanded.

Ms Wieland said Byrne, born and raised in Gladstone, had previously worked as an apprentice painter and a labourer.

“However, at the time of his incarceration, he was unemployed.

“With regard to the offending... he had been struggling with his drug use last year.

“He is extremely remorseful.”

Prior to handing down penalty, Magistrate Mary Buchanan noted Byrne’s offending had started in February last year and finished in December, and the only thing that stopped his offending was him being remanded in custody.

On January 15, she sentenced Byrne to 10 months’ jail, declared 44 days’ pre-sentence custody as time already served, and fixed parole release at January 20, 2025.

Byrne was also fined $1500 and given numerous driving disqualifications, the largest being two years.