Kowan Jay Althaus sentenced in Roma Magistrates Court, racks up more than $10k SPER debt after evading police

A 26-year-old Roma man has learnt the hard way what happens when you attempt to run from police.

Kowan Jay Althaus racks up more than $10k in SPER debt after pleading guilty to evasion offence.

A Roma man now owes more than $10,000 to the state penalties enforcement registry, after he put the pedal to the metal instead of stopping for police.

Kowan Jay Althaus appeared in Roma Magistrates Court on October 2, to be sentenced for one charge of evading police at night.

While the 26-year-old’s Queensland traffic history was only two pages, police prosecutor Sergeant Ellysha Geddes told the court his NSW traffic history was 11 pages.

Sergeant Geddes told the court Althaus was driving a blue Holden Commodore with NSW registration when police attempted to intercept him at 1.30am on March 18.

Despite police lights and sirens wailing at him to stop, Althaus accelerated, travelling well over the posted speed limit of 60km/h.

“Due to the high speed acceleration and the vehicle’s determination to get away, police stopped attempting the traffic intercept,” Sergeant Geddes said.

Police intercepted the car on Raglan St on March 19, and Althaus pulled the car over.

She told the court Althaus told police someone else was driving the car at the time of he evade, but did not provide the details of the driver when asked, and pleaded guilty to the offence.

“In relation to Mr Althaus’ current SPER debt, I understand that it’s currently $2563.95,” Sergeant Geddes said.

Althaus, who was self-represented, told the court he had recently started a new job.

Magistrate Michael Wood fined the man $8065, which brought his SPER debt to well over $10,000.

“The reason why the minimum penalties are so severe in this case is because before the legislation was changed … police chases involved dangerous situations where people were injured and killed as a result of the way they drove in order to evade police,” Mr Wood said.

“As a result, the legislation was changed to provide very severe minimum penalties.

“Whilst it may seem to you standing there that a fine of $8065 is out of proportion to the behaviour, quite simply had you have stopped the vehicle there would have been much less consequence.

“Mr Althaus, in future, do not run from police, stop and have whatever discussion you need to have, however unpleasant or difficult that may be.”

Althaus’ licence was also disqualified for a period of 24 months, and a conviction was recorded.