Adrian Bathurst in Maroochydore court for evading cops, speeding at Maleny

A Sunshine Coast dad has been told he’s not “18 in a Commodore” after riding at double the speed limit during a hinterland police chase.

A Sunshine Coast dad has been labelled “completely delusional” after clocking 168km/h in an 80km/h zone and bending up his number plate during a major police hinterland operation.

A Kings Beach man has faced court after trying to trick police into thinking it wasn’t him who evaded officers at excessive speeds and rode dangerously in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Officers from the Sunshine Coast Road Police Task Force were conducting a major road safety operation Operation Hills in the Sunshine Coast hinterland on August 21.

Police prosecutor Nick Nitschke said the operation was a result of traffic complaints in the area regarding motorbikes driving dangerously, overtaking over double lines and riding at extreme speeds.

Adrian John Bathurst, 33, was part of a group of four motorbike riders who were detected speeding along Maleny Stanley River Rd near Maleny.

Sergeant Nitschke said one bike was riding on the wrong side of the road, crossing the double continuous lines.

As the four motorbikes approached a marked police officer, the police bike rode out into the roadway, activated his lights and gave a clear signal for all four bikes to stop, the court heard.

Two of the riders pulled off the road, but two sped off including Bathurst.

Other highway patrol officers were called to assist and observed Bathurst take a bend on the wrong side of the road, overtaking a car at high speed and narrowly missing the police motorbike.

A police four-wheel drive pulled out and activated its lights and sirens.

The court heard Bathurst increased his speed and was captured at 168km/h in an 80km/h zone, but he had no number plate on at the time.

Police executed a search warrant at Bathurst’s Kings Beach address where he stated he hadn’t ridden for some time as he was “working on his motorbike”.

Sergeant Nitschke said the seat of the bike had been removed and presented to look as though Bathurst had been working on it, but he later admitted to the offending.

“He admitted to asking his neighbour to look after his riding suit in an attempt to deceive police,” Sergeant Nitschke said.

“He also stated he deliberately took off the seat of his bike to present it like he’s been doing mechanical work on it.”

Adrian John Bathurst, 33, was part of a group of four motorbike riders who were detected speeding along Maleny Stanley River Rd near Maleny.

Bathurst told police he had bent his number plate up so he wouldn’t get caught, but ended up throwing it into the bushes as he damaged it.

He stated he was a “very good rider” and was in control the whole time.

Magistrate Kurt Fowler said the speed Bathurst reached was “terrifying”.

“If you don’t think you’re a danger to yourself or others at 168km/h in an 80km/h zone you are completely delusional,” Magistrate Fowler said.

“You’re not 18 in a commodore, sir.”

Duty lawyer Michael Robinson said his client’s motorbike had been confiscated and it cost him a few thousand dollars to get out of the tow yard.

Mr Robinson said Bathurst, a postal service worker, had been cooperative with police in the end.

“My client used his licence for work and has a son aged six who he does pick up and drop off for which won’t be happening so that’s going to have a substantial effect on him,” Mr Robinson said.

Bathurst pleaded guilty to evading police, dangerous operation, possessing a small amount of marijuana and possessing a glass pipe.

He was fined a total of $8,937.50 for all offences and convictions were not recorded.