Drunk and disqualified driver Robbie John Blowes-Sargent hit speeds above 200kmh to get away from police

Police activated their lights and sirens in a bid to intercept a Holden Commodore but it “accelerated aggressively” at speeds estimated to be more than 140kmh. Later, it was a passenger who revealed the getaway speed was much higher.

A drunk and disqualified driver has been hit with a massive penalty after he reached speeds of more than 200kmh to get away from police.

Robbie John Blowes-Sargent, 20, pleaded guilty in Biloela Magistrates Court to drink-driving, disqualified driving, and failing to stop as directed.

The court heard that on the afternoon of October 17, police spoke to Blowes-Sargent and other men at the Neville Hewitt boat ramp at Baralaba in relation to drinking alcohol in a public place.

The men were standing around Blowes-Sargent’s blue Holden Commodore and Blowes-Sargent, holding a Great Northern beer can, told police that they were from “out of town” and were working on a property about 20km from Baralaba.

Later, the men walked into town to the Baralaba Hotel, leaving the Commodore at the boat ramp.

CCTV footage from the hotel showed Blowes-Sargent drinking alcohol there during the afternoon and into the evening.

About 7.52pm, the footage showed Blowes-Sargent walk from the hotel while carrying a carton of Bundaberg rum.

About 8pm, police received information that Blowes-Sargent and the other men had returned to the car at the boat ramp and driven off in it.

Three minutes later, police saw the car being driven by Blowes-Sargent not far from the Baralaba CBD.

They activated their lights and sirens in a bid to intercept the Commodore but it “accelerated aggressively” at speeds estimated to be more than 140kmh.

“The defendant made it obvious to police that he was not going to stop,” Police prosecutor Brandy Butler said.

Police subsequently terminated the pursuit.

Later, police found the Commodore parked at the rear of a residence.

There, police spoke to two intoxicated men, who said they were in the car at the time of the pursuit.

The men said Blowes-Sargent had left and would “more than likely be hiding from police”.

One of the men told police that Blowes-Sargent had been travelling in excess of 200kmh in order to avoid being intercepted.

Robbie John Blowes-Sargent.

Police found Blowes-Sargent nearby and they arrested him.

He returned a blood alcohol reading of .078.

Police checks revealed Blowes-Sargent’s driver’s licence was disqualified for a drug-driving offence.

After his latest offending, Blowes-Sargent had his Commodore seized for 90 days.

The court heard that Blowes-Sargent had one entry on his criminal history for possessing a knife in public.

A solicitor said Blowes-Sargent was employed full-time, working 12-hour days on a two weeks on/one week off roster, and an employer reference was tendered to the court which indicated Blowes-Sargent had a strong and enthusiastic work ethic.

“He works long days, Your Honour, 12-hour days, and my client still undertakes further work from the employer from time-to-time during his week off as well - so he’s no slouch in that regard, Your Honour,” the solicitor said.

“He is on a significant income as well.”

In relation to the evade police offence, the solicitor said Blowes-Sargent had panicked, was not thinking clearly at the time, and it was fortunate that no-one was injured.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale described Blowes-Sargent’s offending on the night in question as “one stupid night”.

She fined him a total of $8150 and disqualified him from driving for four years and three months.

Convictions were recorded.