Ipswich crims who spent time in behind bars in 2021
Locked up: A number of criminals were taken off the streets in 2021 after committing shocking and life changing crimes.
Ipswich
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The Ipswich Courthouse was kept busy in 2021 with a number of offenders being sentenced to terms of imprisonment in a bid to punish criminals and keep the community safe.
From a “violent thug” who led air and ground police on a dangerous chase, a magic mushroom dealing “shaman,” to the many heart breaking sexual assaults – below is a list of those who spent time behind bars.
JACK THOMAS HAYES
Booval’s Jack Thomas Hayes, 28, spent five and a half months locked up for a raft of crimes including high grade meth possession and evading police.
In August while appearing in Ipswich court via video, Hayes pleaded guilty to driving disqualified, dangerous operation of a car, drug possession, unlawful use of a stolen car, stealing, drug driving, breaching bail, failing to appear, and receiving and using stolen plates.
The dad was sentenced to 15 months jail and granted immediate parole.
PHILIPA ELLEN ANNE FINN
Ipswich woman Philipa Ellen Anne Finn, 22, spent time in jail after going on a drug fuelled crime spree.
Armed with a machete, Finn stalked around a Leichhardt man’s home and taped on his windows with a blade – prompting her arrest after a frantic triple-0 call.
After spending 298 days in jail Finn pleading guilty to 27 crimes which included armed with intend to break and enter, break and enter, drug possession, knife possession, wilful damage, drug and drink driving on a provisional licence, two charges of obstructing police, drink driving, leaving the scene of a crash, and common assault.
Finn was placed on an 18 month suspended prison sentence and the nine months she spent in pre-custody was declared a time served.
CHRIS LEE INGRAM
Dad of four Chris Lee Ingram was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment after stealing over $10k worth of Bunnings tools and other items.
The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to more than 30 crimes which included; stealing, disqualified driving, driving on meth, unlawful use of a stolen motor car, fraud; failing to dispose safely of used needle/syringe, and drug possession.
Ingram was to be released on parole after serving three months.
SIO TUATO
Sio Tuato carried out a “frightening home invasion” and assaulted a prison guard which resulted in him spending 16 months locked up while waiting for judgment.
In April the 20-year-old Redbank man pleaded guilty to entering a Goodna home and causing damage, threatening occupants with violence if they did not hand over money, and seriously assaulting a prison officer.
Tuato was sentenced to the 487 days he already spent in jail and was placed on an 18-month probation order.
DAVID KEPU
A 28-year-old Ipswich man left two people with life-changing injuries after he smashed into the back of their car while drunk driving.
David Kepu faced court over the horrifying crash and pleaded guilty to dangerously operating a vehicle and causing grievous bodily harm while under the influence of alcohol, drink driving, and speeding.
Kepu was ordered to serve 12 months of a four-year prison sentence and was disqualified from driving for two years.
WAYNE STEVEN MERRICK
Ipswich dad Wayne Steven Merrick was released from jail and began selling meth just months after his release.
Police searched the former forklift driver’s Bellbird Park home and found incriminating text messages on his phone.
In April the 41-year-old pleaded guilty to supplying drugs, and possessing a phone used to supply said drugs.
Merrick’s parole was pulled and he was sentenced to 12 months in jail.
ANGUS CHEYNE DAVIE
Ipswich district man Angus Cheyne Dave was sentenced to two years jail after pleading guilty to 61 counts of supplying drugs, supplying drugs to minors 16 years or over, drug possession, and weapon possession.
In November an Ipswich court heard the ‘cult leader’ had been dealing a range of drugs for five years, including LSD, DMT, and magic mushrooms.
JAMIE LEE HANRAHAN & MATHEW JOHNATHON HANRAHAN
Two brothers were co-sentenced in Ipswich court after carrying out a violent home invasion at Caboolture.
A man was left bloodied, bruised, and with multiple fractured ribs after Mathew Hanrahan attempted to retrieve a tool he let the man had borrowed.
After pleading guilty to entering a dwelling and committing an indictable offence, the pair were sentenced a 12 months jail sentence.
CONAN KENNETH MUNDAY
Ripley man Conan Kenneth Munday was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to stealing, failing to appear, burglary, entering premises to commit an indictable offence and contravening the direction of police.
During a crime spree, the 35-year-old man stole $6k worth of alcohol from various bottle shops, and partook in a threatening home invasion.
Munday was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment with parole release after serving six months.
BENJAMIN SHEGOG & DANIEL MELVILLE
Armed with pipes, axes, and machetes Benjamin Shegog, 39, and Daniel, 37, Melville carried out a violent home invasion.
In October the pair from Raceview pleaded guilty aggravated burglary, armed robbery, unlawful wounding and two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm.
Two were injured during the terrifying ordeal at Boronia Heights in 2019.
Shegog received a four years and six months’ jail term, with parole eligibility set at March 14, 2022.
After spending 314 days in pre-sentence custody Melville was sentenced to four years and three months’ imprisonment, suspended for five years.
TEEN, UNNAMED
A 19-year-old woman pleaded guilty to a grossly violent home invasion which left a young vulnerable girl’s throat cut and ear severed.
The seven year old victim was her 32-year-old lover’s estranged child.
The woman pleaded guilty to burglary with violence and property damage, assault causing bodily harm, and committing a malicious act with intent.
She was sentenced to six years of detention and would be eligible for parole after serving three years.
JOHN CLIFFORD DAWSON
Goodna man John Clifford Dawson broke into a neighbour’s house and touched a woman while she slept during a shocking and traumatising home invasion.
He was on parole at the time.
In May the 42-year-old pleaded guilty to burglary, entering a dwelling with intent to commit an indictable offence, assault and drink driving.
Dawson was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment.
BRENDAN PAUL JONES
After an intense police chase Brendan Paul Jones was arrested by police and subsequently jailed for 15 months.
The 20-year-old man had been on a crime spree in 2020 adding to his six page criminal history.
In February Jones pleaded guilty to unlawful use, stealing, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle when adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, evading police, receiving tainted property, driving unlicensed, and failing to appear.
The Ipswich man was eligible for parole on April 30.
SEX CRIMES
LEVI JAMES WILSHIRE
Gatton man Levi James Wilshire was sentenced to eight years after pleading guilty to the rape of a young girl.
The 29-year-old man also pleaded guilty to one count of indecent treatment of a child under the age of 16.
The court heard the crime took place three times over two days.
The Lockyer Valley man will be eligible for parole on June 18, 2023.
TYE RANDALL HOOPER
South Ripley man Tye Randall Hooper was sentenced to a two-year jail term after pleading guilty to the indecent treatment of a child.
An Ipswich court heard in September the 30-year-old man had been drinking when he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old boy.
Hooper’s jail term was to be suspended after he served four months.
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