Jesse Poulton pleads guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, disqualified driving

An Ipswich man has been told he could go to jail the next time he is caught behind the wheel while disqualified, after a court heard of his dangerous driving on a major highway.

Jesse Daniel Poulton leaves court after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and other charges.

“Crystal clear your honour”.

Offending driver Jesse Poulton told an Ipswich magistrate he understood he could end up doing jail time if he was caught driving while disqualied again.

Poulton was handed a suspended jail sentence after facing court for his latest offences, which included driving at speeds of up to 140kmh in an 80 zone.

Jesse Daniel Poulton, 28, from Mutdapilly and also Yamanto, pleaded guilty to four charges including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle at Purga by excessively speeding on August 1, 2020; driving when disqualified by court order on April 15 last year; and driving when disqualified on May 16.

A charge of evading police on August 1 was withdrawn and dismissed with no evidence offered.

Police prosecutor Ricky Tsoi said Poulton had relevant history including two previous convictions for dangerous driving.

He said Poulton was last before the court in April this year where he received a supervised 18-month probation order.

Mr Tsoi said Poulton should not have been driving after previously having his licence disqualified.

In relation to the dangerous driving charge, Mr Tsoi said police saw Poulton behind the wheel of a black Mazda.

The court heard the vehicle then accelerated and overtook another vehicle.

Mr Tsoi said when police tried to close the distance the car accelerated away and was seen to overtake two more vehicles.

Poulton crossed double lines to overtake four more vehicles with drivers of oncoming cars taking evasive action.

At one stage the Mazda sped at 140km/h in an 80km speed zone, the court was told.

Jesse Daniel Poulton has been warned he could go to jail if he drives while disqualified.

Defence barrister John Cook said Poulton was licensed at the time of the dangerous operation offence.

He said there had been no damage to property although this was likely the result of good luck.

Mr Cook said Poulton had done a variety of jobs and had been working as a concreter and machine operator.

He said it was unfortunate that Poulton would now lose his licence for more than four years but he would focus on his family and in his interest in selling cars.

Magistrate Peter Saggers noted that Poulton was found driving while disqualified on three separate occasions.

He told Poulton his dangerous driving could have had catastrophic consequences for both himself and other people.

Mr Saggers said police did a U-turn after Poulton drove past the mobile patrol.

His Mazda accelerated and despite police activating lights and sirens he accelerated and later overtook four vehicles.

Mr Saggers said that with his interest in buying and selling cars if he was tempted to drive “you will have to answer for that”.

He received jail terms of nine months and one month – both suspended for 18 months.

Poulton received three disqualification periods adding up to 4 ½ years off the road. He was told he must check this with the Department of Transport to confirm the full term of his disqualification.