Mackay’s Abigail Isabell Spooner fined for Rockyview stolen car crash with police

A young plumbing company secretary was in a stolen LandCruiser allegedly driven by her former boyfriend when it crashed into an unmarked police car, seriously injuring two officers.

Abigail Spooner appeared in Mackay Magistrates Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

A young Mackay mum was the passenger in a stolen ute when the joy ride ended in a traffic crash with an unmarked police car, seriously injuring two officers.

Abigail Isabell Spooner “didn’t really think” about where her parolee former boyfriend Reece Stuart William Hogg had allegedly gotten his hands on a grey LandCruiser ute when he picked her up from Ilbilbie on April 13, 2024.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard the ute had been reported stolen from a Nebo address the day before.

The 22-year-old mum of one had been in the passenger side when the ute towing an excavator, also alleged to have been stolen, was involved in a crash at Rockview, north of Rockhampton, about 9pm.

Two male highway patrol officers were seriously injured in the crash.

Two police officers were injured after their unmarked police vehicle crashed with a stolen car in Rocky View on April 13.

A 58-year-old senior constable was flown to Brisbane for a hip replacement and a 55-year-old sergeant suffered a fractured vertebrae and kneecap.

Spooner and Mr Hogg, who was allegedly the driver, were also taken to hospital in a stable condition after the crash.

She appeared in Mackay Magistrates Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Abigail Isabell Spooner pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a motor vehicle for being a passenger in a stolen ute.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Linden Pollard said Spooner told police Mr Hogg had allegedly cut off his ankle bracelet and had wanted to “meet her outside town for a drive”.

“(She) stated that Hogg does not have a job, does not have a licence, has been in and out of jail and she does not know where he would get such an expensive vehicle,” Sergeant Pollard said.

“(She) did say she wasn’t aware the vehicle was stolen, however admitted that she didn’t really think about it.”

Two police officers were injured after their unmarked police vehicle crashed with a stolen car in Rocky View on April 13.

Barron and Allen solicitor Aaron Sellentin, for Spooner, said his client had no criminal history and worked full time as an administration co-ordinator for a plumbing business earning $1000 per week.

The court heard she and Mr Hogg have an 18-month-old child.

“She made the foolish mistake to get in the car and I asked her why,” Mr Sellentin said.

“She said that she had received a call from the parole officer because she was a contact for Mr Hogg, and she had the expectation of trying to get him to hand himself in.”

Two police officers were injured after their unmarked police vehicle crashed with a stolen car in Rocky View on April 13.

Magistrate Damien Dwyer said there was “no way in the world you would think that this is his vehicle”.

“Lie down with dogs, going to get fleas,” Mr Dwyer said.

Spooner was fined $1500 and a conviction was not recorded.

“Keep your fingers away from other people’s property,” Mr Dwyer said.

Mr Hogg has been charged with a slew of offences in relation to the incident including dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm.

His matters are next listed for mention on May 9.