Jayden Michael Trappett in court for evading police

A 22-year-old carer has been fined almost $8000 for evading police while driving unaccompanied on his L-plates near Blackbutt.

Jayden Michael Trappett pleaded guilty to evasion and driving on a learner licence without supervision.

A 22-year-old carer who evaded police in 2023 while driving unaccompanied on his L-plates was fined a total of almost $8000 when he faced Murgon Magistrates Court on Monday.

Jayden Michael Trappett pleaded guilty to evading police and two counts of driving on a learner licence without supervision.

Police prosecutor Barry Stevens said on November 18, 2023 Trappett came out of a property driving a red 2007 Ford Falcon in the direction of Blackbutt when a marked police car driving in the opposite direction saw Trappett “appeared to be driving above the speed limit”.

“Police then attempted to move over into the middle of the road to stop the vehicle as it was a narrow road and activated lights and sirens,” Sergeant Stevens said.

“The defendant then sped up, entered the gravel area on the side, he ran the police vehicle and increased speed.”

Sgt Stevens said police did a U-turn but did not pursue Trappett and spoke to him at a later date.

Jayden Michael Trappett pleaded guilty to evasion and driving on a learner licence without supervision.

Trappett’s lawyer Mark Werner said Trappett did not see police turning their car around to pursue.

“As Mr Trappett was passing the police car the lights and sirens went on and because it was a narrow lane way they had to do a three-point turn,” Mr Werner said.

“By the time the police car had turned around he was already out of sight.

“He saw the police car but he wasn’t aware of the lights and sirens.”

Mr Werner said although Trappett didn’t see them turn around he acknowledged he “knew police would have stopped him”.

Magistrate Anna Smith told Trappett the offence of evading police was “really serious” and puts “everyone at risk”.

“The law says the minimum you can get is 50 penalty units or 50 days in jail … that’s the minimum you can get,” Ms Smith said.

One penalty unit is $154.80.

“So it’s either jail or a massive fine,” she said.

Ms Smith said because of his limited criminal and traffic history along with his young age, no conviction would be recorded but Trappett was fined $7740 and his licence was suspended for two years.