Scott Hodgetts pleads guilty to dangerous driving in Mackay

A dangerous driver with a disgraceful 130 convictions on his 11-page criminal history has had years added to an existing jail sentence, after he narrowly missed running down police officers with a stolen car.

Mackay man Scott Hodgetts pleaded guilty to further charges of dangerous driving.

A Mackay motorist with a disgraceful 130 convictions on his criminal history drove a stolen car at police hours after cutting off his ankle monitor while on parole.

Scott Hodgetts has a “horrendous” 11-page criminal history including nine entries for dangerous driving where he has repeatedly put the lives of others at risk, and now has another two years and nine months added to the lengthy jail term he is currently serving.

When the 35-year-old was jailed in 2020 for seven-and-a-half years and his licence disqualified absolutely for a raft of charges including dangerous driving upwards of 170-187km/h on the Peak Downs Highway, he told a Mackay court he was “deeply remorseful and ashamed”.

He was released on parole on February 28, 2022 with a condition he was to be fitted with an ankle monitor.

Mackay man Scott Hodgetts was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years’ jail in 2020 for a large amount of offences including dangerous driving.

Crown prosecutor Matthew Sutton said about 12.30pm on May 5, 2022 Hodgetts cut off the monitor and hours later stole a Holden Colorado, with the owner reporting hearing the car being driven off.

Police tracked down Hodgetts in West Mackay, where he drove at the officers, who were forced to take cover behind a power pole to avoid being hit.

Mackay District Court was told police spotted him again hours later in the stolen car, which he again drove at officers, this time striking a police car.

Mr Sutton said car thefts were “more than just a small burden for four victims”, and asked the court to impose a three-year jail.

Mackay man Scott Hodgetts will have another two years and nine months added to the jail term he is currently serving.

The 35-year-old has already spent 278 days in custody on remand, none of which can be declared because he was on parole for dangerous driving.

Defence barrister Scott McLennan said two-and-a-half years’ jail with immediate parole was appropriate.

Hodgetts pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving, and one each of wilful damage, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and stealing petrol.

Judge Gregory Lynham warned Hodgetts, who appeared via videolink, he faced a four-year jail term but it had to be reduced to be added to the existing seven-and-a-half years.

Hodgetts was jailed for two years and nine months, with parole eligibility on July 9, 2023.