Jack Thomas Hayes pleads guilty to dangerous driving, drug possession

Police were forced to get out of the way of an Ipswich man who refused to be stopped for what was going to be a minor traffic offence.

Police were forced to take evasive action when a drug driver sped away from a traffic stop in busy Fortitude Valley.

Ipswich Magistrates Court this week heard the driver had outstanding charges for possession of a large ice stash.

Making matters worse for the Ipswich disqualified driver were his failures to appear at court to answer the charges.

A police prosecutor told Ipswich Magistrates Court that Jack Hayes was first charged after being found in possession of a drug that was analysed to be 5.284 grams of methylamphetamine.

Jack Thomas Hayes, 28, from Booval and also Alstonville in northern NSW, pleaded guilty to a series of charges including four counts of driving when disqualified; dangerous operation of a motor vehicle on February 1 in Fortitude Valley; possession of schedule 1 drug -methylamphetamine at Booval in January 2018; unlawful use of a stolen car; stealing; driving when drug positive on February 28 this year; 12 counts of breaching bail conditions; three counts of failing to appear at court; receiving tainted property – registration plates in September 2020; having false plates on a vehicle; and not having plates belonging to vehicle.

He appeared from jail via video-link for sentence.

Prosecutor Sergeant Nicholas Turnbull said about six grams of the drug was found and when analysed it was proved to be 5.284 grams of methylamphetamine – or 75% purity which was “quite potent gear”.

Jack Thomas Hayes has pleaded guilty to offences including dangerous driving and drug possession.

The court heard his existing sentence for other offences ended in April 2023.

The dangerous operation related to an offence in Barry Parade at Fortitude Valley where Hayes accelerated away from police in high viz when he was stopped for a minor traffic offence.

Hayes sped off on a wet road in a white Holden Commodore when one officer was believed to have been leaning in through an open car window to speak to him.

He was one of the officers who had to jump clear.

Defence lawyer Emily Fackender sought an 18-month jail order that was served concurrent with his existing sentence.

She said he had spent around 5 ½ months in custody and not all could be declared.

She said his new offences meant he would likely now be disqualified from driving for up to 10 years.

Ms Fackender said he had two children from a long-term relationship that had since ended.

Following the split “he felt like he lost everything and was living out of his car”.

He instructed that had previously been using one gram of methylamphetamine a day.

“This time spent in jail he acknowledges he needs help. He wants to go into a residential rehabilitation centre,” she said.

Magistrate Andy Cridland said Hayes’ parole had been transferred from NSW.

Hayes was sentenced to 15 months jail for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and to lesser concurrent penalties. With around 5 ½ months taken into account he was granted immediate parole on these charges.

He was disqualified from driving for another two years.