Joshua William Everingham jailed for disqualified driving, failing to appear

A young Tiaro tree lopper held his newborn baby while his partner wiped away tears minutes before he was sent to jail for repeatedly ignoring the law.

A 27-year-old Tiaro business owner, now unable to drive in two states, held his newborn son in the courtroom dock while his partner wiped away tears, minutes before he was escorted to jail.

Joshua William Everingham fronted Gympie Magistrates Court for a spate of driving charges on Tuesday, including driving while disqualified twice, failing to appear twice and failing to identify particulars at a police station.

He pleaded guilty to all charges.

The court heard he had an extensive history of driving offences, and had lost his licence in New South Wales until 2032.

The court heard Joshua Everingham had a total of six disqualified driving charges from 2014 to 2021, and had lost his licence in New South Wales until 2032. Photo: Facebook

It was this history, coupled with the fresh charges in Gympie Magistrates Court, which would send Everingham to jail.

Police prosecutor Melissa Campbell told the court Everingham was first caught driving while disqualified in Urraween, near Hervey Bay, in the early hours of April 14, 2021.

A week later, he failed to show up to the Hervey Bay police station on April 21 to provide identifying particulars and again failed to show up to Gympie Magistrates Court on June 17.

A warrant was issued for Everingham’s arrest, but he was caught driving disqualified a second time on July 26; this time in Gympie.

In keeping with his streak of failing to turn up, he then failed to appear in Gympie Magistrates Court on August 16, 2021.

“The defendant was already before the court on disqualified driving, it was well and truly clear to him he was disqualified,” Sgt Campbell said.

Defence lawyer Mark Oliver said his client suffered a number of mental health issues including ADHD and bipolar disorder, and was establishing whether or not he was the father of his ex partner’s twins.

Mr Oliver said the stress of these events had caused his client to not show up to court or the police station when needed.

Joshua Everingham asked Magistrate Chris Callaghan if he may hold his newborn son one last time before being sent to prison from Gympie Magistrates Court.

But Magistrate Chris Callaghan did not agree.

“Seems to me like he is avoiding the court because of the inevitability of the likelihood of custodial sentences,” he said.

As a result, Mr Callaghan said he saw no other option than to send Everingham to jail.

Afterwards, Everingham asked Mr Callaghan if he could hold his son one last time and this was allowed.

Sgt Campbell escorted Everingham and his partner to the courtroom dock, where Everingham spent the next few minutes holding his son while his partner wiped away tears.

Everingham was sentenced to three months behind bars, and disqualified from driving for two years.

He will be eligible for parole on May 13.