Tristan James Watson pleads guilty to attempted escape lawful custody
A driver who caused the death of Mackay traffic worker Brendan Moreland while behind the wheel of a stolen car has backflipped on his plea over an attempted escape from authorities.
Police & Courts
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A killer driver who caused the death of Mackay traffic worker Brendan Moreland has backflipped on denials he tried to run from authorities days after his arrest over the fatal hit and run.
Tristan James Watson was behind the wheel of a stolen Toyota Rav4 when he slammed into 35-year-old Mr Moreland on the Ron Camm Bridge just after 4am on October 26, 2021.
He then fled the scene, but drove by soon after while emergency services were there.
Again he did not stop, he kept driving. He was arrested later that morning.
In November 2022 Watson, who had only been released on parole the month before the fatal hit and run, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death while speeding and leaving the scene.
He was jailed for 5.5 years cumulative to a six-year term he is currently serving and parole eligibility in September 2024.
But he is charged with a further 23 offences including attempted escape from lawful custody on November 2 at Sarina, obstructing police, evasion, driving without due care and attention and burglary.
He had initially pleaded not guilty to the attempted escape and the matter was listed for hearing in Mackay Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
However his solicitor David Epstein said the “trial has been resolved” and the matter could proceed as a long plea.
It was listed for sentence on May 3 along with his remaining matters, to which he had already pleaded guilty.
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