Eliot Paul Wakeman caught in stolen car at Hungry Jacks

The driver of a stolen car was almost caught after going through Gympie Hungry Jacks drive-through when the rightful owner spotted the vehicle in the line-up.

Eliot Paul Wakeman, 41 of Gympie, pleaded guilty to 27 charges including eight counts of driving without a licence, four counts each of , driving an unregistered vehicle, driving an uninsured vehicle, having the another vehicle’s licence plates attached, and two counts of obstructing police.

A man’s need for a burger landed him in hot water after he drove a stolen car to the Hungry Jack’s Drive Thru and was spotted in the line-up by its rightful owner.

The ensuing pursuit, which involved police at one point, was part of a series of events that culminated in Eliot Paul Wakeman facing Gympie Magistrates Court on 27 charges.

Facts tendered at the court on Tuesday said Wakeman, 41, was behind the wheel of the car about 11.30am on February 24, when it was seen by its owner at the Gympie fast food restaurant.

The owner of the car, which was stolen from a Channon St home, called police and then followed Wakeman and the vehicle across the city, joined by police who tried to pull Wakeman over.

He sped off instead, with the owner continuing after him as best he could.

The vehicle was last seen near the intersection of Graham St and Brisbane Rd.

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Gympie Magistrates Court heard Eliot Paul Wakeman was behind the wheel of a stolen car at the Gympie Hungry Jacks Drive Thru on February 24 when the owner of the car spotted him. He then followed the car across the city, with police joining until Wakeman sped off when they tried to pull him over.

It was spotted several times in the same area over the next two months and finally arrested on May 21 when police descended on his Rainbow Beach unit.

He tried to flee on foot and was finally taken into custody after a struggle.

Wakeman pleaded guilty to 27 charges, including eight counts of driving without a licence, four counts each of, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving an uninsured vehicle, having another vehicle’s licence plates attached, and two counts of obstructing police.

There were also single counts of stealing with a prior conviction, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, evading police, possessing dangerous drugs, and failing to correctly dispose of a syringe.

Police prosecutor Mel Campbell told the court Wakeman’s driving offences were on top of five previous convictions for driving without a licence, and while he was on parole.

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Eliot Paul Wakeman pleaded guilty to 27 charges including eight counts of driving without a licence, four counts each of, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving an uninsured vehicle, having the another vehicle’s licence plates attached, and two counts of obstructing police.

Sgt Campbell said he was “not to be driving any vehicle, let alone a stolen one”.

Wakeman’s lawyer told the court his client, a father of two who had worked as a mechanic, struggled with drug abuse.

His stepfather had also been diagnosed with emphysema and only had months to live, he said.

Wakeman’s first offence was stealing a $25 hat from the Gold Nugget service station at Kybong on December 12.

His lawyer told the court this was an “impulsive” albeit “stupid” crime, highlighted by the fact he paid for fuel and food at the same visit.

The worst of his offending did not begin until February when he went on “essentially two months of continual disqualified driving”.

Wakeman was sentenced to 15 months jail and disqualified from driving for three years.

He will be eligible for parole from Tuesday September 26.