Jesse James Lawrence jailed for dangerous operation of vehicle

A concreter who ran down an e-scooter rider in heavy traffic claimed to police that the e-scooter was actually his and he only wanted to talk to the man.

A Central Queensland concreter has received a prison sentence for running down a man on an e-scooter.

A Central Queensland concreter has received a prison sentence for running down a man on an e-scooter.

Jesse James Lawrence, 34, pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on January 2.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Trent Voigt said the incident took place on the main street through Emerald – Clermont Street – on December 14 about 1.30pm.

He said Lawrence was driving a vehicle along Anakie Street before turning onto Clermont Street, following a male riding an e-scooter along the side of the road.

“The defendant has then speed-swept off the road into the parking area which collided with the male on the electric scooter, causing him to fall immediately off the scooter,” Sergeant Voigt said.

He said Lawrence and the victim had a physical altercation and the victim allegedly pulled out a knife before he ran away.

The court did not hear that the victim was charged over the incident.

“(The area was) surrounded by licensed premises and popular businesses, has parking available for vehicles on both sides of the road and there’s also a railway on the other side of the street with an adjoining bus terminal,” Sergeant Voigt said.

“During the time of the offence, there was heavy traffic on the road with vehicles, road trains and pedestrians on the footpaths and crossing the road.

“The majority of car parks were occupied.”

He said the incident was captured on CCTV and police located the victim, finding he had injuries on his left arm and left leg.

Sergeant Voigt said Lawrence told police the rider had allegedly stolen his property three weeks beforehand but he had not reported it to police and he claimed the victim admitted to stealing it that day.

The court did not hear the victim was charged with theft.

Sergeant Voigt said Lawrence also told police he saw the man riding along the footpath and wanted to talk to him about his property.

“He said the other male was riding along the footpath and swerved between the parked cars and climbed his vehicle,” Sergeant Voigt said.

“He said he couldn’t take any evasive action as the male drove directly towards his vehicle.

“Police challenged (the) defendant by showing him the CCTV footage that showed the incident.”

He said Lawrence then told police he had not meant to hit the male with his vehicle.

Sergeant Voigt said Lawrence had a six-page criminal history including a conviction on November 4 for five offences of a different nature and sentenced to six months prison, wholly suspended with an 18-month operational period.

Defence lawyer Ricky Lynch said Lawrence suffers from depression and will be engaging with his doctor to organise a mental health plan.

He said Lawrence works as an assistant in concreting.

Lawrence was sentenced to three months prison to run concurrent with the suspended sentence from November, which was activated, and he was released immediately on parole.