Angus James Moore faces Mackay court after harming pregnant woman in crime spree

He tried to bite kind strangers helping him on the Bruce Highway, stole a car from a mine site and recklessly risked the life of a woman and her unborn child.

The court heard the victim still struggles with driving following the traumatic incident.

A Queensland man was blasted in court for a crime spree which endangered the life of a pregnant woman and prompted the emergency birth of a child.

Angus James Moore, 28, was responsible for violent carjackings, arson, and failed attempts to steal more between April 2021 and October 2022. pleading guilty to all offences in the Mackay district court.

The crime spree started with Moore’s failed attempt to steal a Isuzu D-Max ute from a rural property on April 4, 2021.
Despite copping punches to the face, the owner of the car managed to put him in a headlock and force Moore away.

He was later identified from DNA at the scene.

While Mr Moore evaded arrest at the time, one of his co-offenders was apprehended by police

In May 2022, he stole a Toyota Prado from the Peak Downs Mine, drove it to Emerald Airport and tried to steal another before being spotted by police.

He managed to escape in the $67,500 Prado — which belonged to a superintendent — and later burned it down with a co-offender.

Moore was wanted by police when they spotted him driving on Sydney St, Mackay on August 16 2022.

After a chase, he was trapped by a red light on the Malcomson St and Glen Park St intersection and tried ramming the cars around him to escape.

Crown prosecutor Monique Sheppard said a heavily pregnant woman and her one-year-old son were hit by a trailer connected to a vehicle hit by Moore.

Ms Sheppard said the woman felt an immediate sharp pain in her stomach.

The mother had to get an immediate caesarean at 36 weeks after suffering a retroplacental haematoma, threatening the life of her and her child.

“Thankfully there has been no permanent effect on the child,” Ms Sheppard said.

Moore’s last offence before his arrest was a cruel ploy to steal a car from two young men at night on the Bruce Highway, 170km south of Mackay.

Mr Moore waved down two good Samaritans before proceeding to attack them and hijack the car.

Waving down the Good Samaritans, 19 and 21, Moore and a co-offender attacked them when they stopped to help, stealing their car.

Moore “tried to bite” the car’s passenger after forcing his way in, and punched him and the driver in the head.

Police later found the vehicle with the key broken in the ignition and a double barrelled 22-calibre rifle in the central console.

Defence barrister Edwards, representing Moore, said he became a “daily drug user” by 21.

“The death of his brother took a significant toll on him,” Mr Edwards said.

The court heard Moore previously attended a rehabilitation facility but was unable to comply with the conditions and “ended up being homeless and unemployed”.

Judge John Coker said Moore’s crime spree of “giant proportions” caused suffering to many people, emphasising the distress caused to the pregnant victim.

“You could be the poster boy for the effects of that dreadful drug methamphetamine on the community,” Mr Coker said.

Mr Coker sentenced Moore to eight years imprisonment and warned him to continue the rehabilitative efforts he’d taken during his time in custody.

A parole eligibility date of November 22 was set and Mr Coker urged Moore to continue his rehabilitation.