Stephen Tolowa Gaiai Savage: Ipswich man sentenced over driving, assault charges

A 20-year-old man who drove his car into a pole while intoxicated told the first police officers on scene to ‘f--k off’ before getting into a physical altercation with them and attempting to flee, a court has heard.

A young Ipswich man is lucky to have avoided seriously injuring himself — or anyone else — after getting behind the wheel while intoxicated to drive his cousin home from an event.

Stephen Tolowa Gaiai Savage, 20, appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Friday May 20, where he pleaded guilty to four charges: assaulting a police officer, driving while under the influence, driving without due care and attention, and obstructing a police officer.

The court heard Savage was driving while under the influence at Bellbird Park on December 3 last year when he crashed into a lightpole.

He was subsequently approached by a police officer who he told to “f--k off you dog”.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Nick Turnbull said it was concerning a person as young as Savage was driving in such an intoxicated state — his blood-alcohol level at the time reading 0.173.

Sgt Turnbull said Savage attempted to leave the scene of the crash about 10.45pm.

“Police did arrive. They’ve opened the driver’s side door, he’s exited the vehicle and approached police and said ‘f--k off you dog’,” Sgt Turnbull said.

“Mr Savage violently resisted arrest. ”

Sgt Turnbull said he did however show some insight into his offending, apologising to police and acknowledging they were “just trying to help” shortly after the incident.

Defence barrister Kevin Rose said his client was an apprentice landscaper who had, on the day in question, been drinking with his cousin who asked to drive him home.

He did so, despite being well over the legal limit.

Mr Rose said his client had a good work history and completed Year 12, moving to town from Townsville about seven years ago.

Magistrate Andy Cridland noted the 20-year-old’s plea of guilty and that he apologised to the relevant police officers the same night he offended.

For the drink driving and driving without due care and attention charges, Savage was sentenced to a 12-month probation order and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for six months.

For the other two charges, he was ordered to complete 60 hours’ community service.

No convictions were recorded.