Luke Darby Cranston pleads guilty to using stolen car, receiving stolen property

A lawyer representing a man caught passed out in a stolen car in the middle of the road noted it’s rare for people to sleep behind the wheel on methamphetamine.

Luke Darby Cranston fell asleep on the wheel of a stolen car with an antique gun inside.

A 24-year-old woken up by police in the driver’s seat of a stolen car tried to climb into the passenger seat and hid his arms under his body to stop them from arresting him.

Gracemere man Luke Darby Cranston thought he was in ‘Mirani or Marian’, Mackay Magistrates Court heard, when he was caught by police on Sarina Homebush Rd around 2.30am on June 28.

Cranston was sleeping against the wheel of a white stolen Toyota LandCruiser ute with the engine running and an antique muzzle-loaded gun in the car.

He was arrested after a struggle with police and told officers he had recently taken meth.

His lawyer Andrew Bale noted in court his client was clearly under the influence of some drug.

“One doesn’t normally fall asleep at the wheel — apparently — while on meth,” Mr Bale said.

“This firearm was rendered inoperable, which is why it was charged as tainted property.”

Police prosecutor Kat Pollard said the car was stolen between June 26 and June 28, after which Cranston received the keys.

He was not alleged to have stolen the vehicle.

Luke Darby Cranston is not alleged to have stolen the vehicle.

“It was more serious by the fact he was unlawfully using a motor vehicle while under the influence,” Ms Pollard said.

He pleaded guilty to obstructing police, possessing and receiving tainted property, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Police pushed for a punishment beyond a fine, given the impacts to the victim of being without their car.

Mr Bale said his client, a labourer who lives outside Rockhampton with his sister, did not have the “absolute benefit” of youth at 24, but asked for his younger age to be taken into account and the impact of the loss of his licence given he lives regionally.

“He comes before the court with no criminal history whatsoever.”

Magistrate Linda Bradford-Morgan said she accepted the behaviour was “an aberration” on Cranston’s behalf.

He was placed on a 12 month probation order, with the condition that he submit to drug testing on request.

No criminal convictions were recorded, and Cranston had to surrender his licence.