Scott Tanner blows kisses, mouths ‘I love you’ while being sentenced for evasion, dangerous driving

In between arguing his case and having his sentence handed down by a magistrate, an Ipswich man blew kisses, pointed to his heart, and mouthed ‘I love you’ to his partner in the back of the courtroom.

A love-struck Ipswich man has taken his virtual court appearance over driving offences as an opportunity to show his partner he misses her, blowing her kisses and mouthing ‘I love you’ throughout proceedings.

Scott Tanner, 40, from Brassall appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court via video link on Friday February 11, facing more than 10 charges including evasion offences, dangerous operation of a vehicle, disobeying the speed limit, driving without a driver’s licence, and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

He pleaded guilty to all charges which occurred on April 6, 2020 and on April 26 last year in Raceview and Brassall.

Tanner’s partner attended the hearing and sat at the back of the court within view of Tanner, who told her she looked nice and that he loved her before official court proceedings commenced.

He continued to blow her kisses through the screen, mouth ‘I love you’, and point to his heart for the duration of the matter.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Nick Turnbull said Tanner’s plea of guilty was a mitigating factor to be considered, but said he did have a relevant criminal history and committed much of his offending while on parole.

Tanner, who had no legal representation, told Acting Magistrate Geoffrey Seaholme that he would like to “take responsibility for being irresponsible”.

Scott Tanner, 40.

He asked the judge to consider that he had been in solitary confinement for six months and the impact that would have on a person‘s mental health.

Tanner apologised for his actions and said he was willing to change.

“That woman in the back of the courtroom there, that woman has given me more hope and love than I’ve ever had before in my life,” Tanner said of his partner.

“That, your honour, for me, is a stage of change and healing that I’ve never had before.

“I’m motivated strongly ... to want to change and keep doing the right thing.”

The woman at the back of the courtroom wiped away tears as she listened to Tanner speak.

Mr Seaholme said he had taken into account Tanner’s plea of guilty as well as his circumstances, saying also that the offending was “very much in line” with that which appeared on his criminal history dating back to 1999.

Tanner was sentenced to a total of 22 months’ imprisonment with immediate parole eligibility and was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for a period of four years.

Convictions were recorded.