‘150 convictions at least’: Alleged car thief Kadeem Wayne O’Rourke refused bail

“He’s difficult for police to catch up with because he’s floating between Bowen and Gladstone and Mackay and Townsville, and his parole conditions are insufficient to keep him from reoffending.” Read what else the police prosecution said in objecting to the 21-year-old being granted bail.

A 21-year-old man with “150 convictions at least” has been refused bail after allegedly committing another stolen car offence, this time in Gladstone.

Kadeem Wayne O’Rourke appeared via video link in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court on December 24 where he applied for bail.

Mr O’Rourke is charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle at Gladstone and disqualified driving.

He was not required to enter a plea on those charges.

During the bail application hearing, Acting Magistrate Ron Muirhead said that in April, Mr O’Rourke had been sentenced to imprisonment on a number of charges with the head sentence being 20 months.

The court was told that Mr O’Rourke was released on parole in October and allegedly committed these offences on December 19.

The prosecution objected to Mr O’Rourke being granted bail, submitting he was a risk of offending further.

The police prosecutor told the court that Mr O’Rourke had “150 convictions at least” with eight of those being for evading police while being in a vehicle, four dangerous operation of a motor vehicle offences, three robbery offences and a grievous bodily harm offence.

“He’s never had a licence,” the police prosecutor said.

“He’s difficult for police to catch up with because he’s floating between Bowen and Gladstone and Mackay and Townsville and his parole conditions are insufficient to keep him from reoffending and there is a risk of further offending.

“He’s had serious driving offences in the past - he still is reverting to that type of behaviour.

“And to place him on bail when, at Christmas time there’s more people on the road than usual, these other drivers are at risk themselves for no reason, no reason other than the fact that this defendant’s unlicensed and he does what he can to evade police when chased, which is every time he’s in a car.

“And for that reason... the prosecution are opposing his bail.”

A solicitor said Mr O’Rourke had never been on bail and would like an opportunity to prove himself with bail.

The solicitor said Mr O’Rourke was not in a show cause position and he could be placed on a 24-hour curfew if granted bail.

“I am instructed that he’s got family ties in Gladstone,” the solicitor said.

Acting Magistrate Muirhead referenced that Mr O’Rourke was released from prison on parole in October.

“One of the charges that you were on parole for was unlawfully using a motor vehicle, for which you received a 20-month imprisonment order,” Mr Muirhead said.

“And you’re back again charged with the same offence - unlawfully using a motor vehicle, and still on parole I might add which makes matters worse.

“In my view there is a risk that you may reoffend if released on bail... and also may fail to appear in court.

“The level of that risk, in my view, is unacceptable.”

Bail was refused.

Mr O’Rourke was remanded in custody and his matters were adjourned to January 18.