Hijack, violence, car chase, escape - time for jail now?

A TAXI hijacker and a bank robber - they evade authorities, break in to homes and assault police -now will they be sent to jail?

Picture: Neal Patel

ONE prisoner is known for holding a taxi driver at scissor-point, hijacking his taxi and then leading police on a 180kmh pursuit on Sunshine Coast roads.

His mate made the news for botching a bank heist in Ipswich where he tried to rob the Bank of Queensland unarmed and staff overpowered him.

Together, Akira Caley George Williams, 21, and Callan James Hughes, 28, were driving around in a car stolen in a home invasion at Caloundra and driving off without paying for $100 worth of petrol in November last year.

When someone recognised the stolen car near the Caboolture Tavern, police quickly caught up with the pair.

They claimed "a mate" had given them the 2003 Holden Commodore, which sustained $5500 damage.

Williams and Hughes have extensive criminal histories, especially property offences but most notably the above offences, and both were on parole at the time.

None of this stopped them trying to make things worse with a failed escape attempt at the Caboolture Watchhouse.

When Williams was returning to his cell after signing a warrant, he waited until the door was unlocked and then punched the officer in the throat.

Hughes watched while another prisoner then joined in the assault, before all three tried to kick down the back door to get out.

They dropped to the ground after a capsicum spray threat and were put into separate cells.

Williams and Hughes pleaded guilty to driving the stolen car, petrol drive-offs, the escape attempt and seriously assaulting police when they faced Brisbane District Court yesterday.

Judge Gary Long will sentence the pair this morning.

RAP SHEET

Hughes: Criminal history began at age 17 when he fractured another person's jaw in multiple places and punched another in the face several times. Botched a bank heist at Ipswich. History of drugs, property and street offences, as well as breaching court orders. Full-time release date before latest offences was October 16, 2014.

Williams: Criminal history began at age 14 which resulted in a detention order. Continued to offend, mostly property offences, until he was done for the taxi driver armed robbery and dangerous driving. After release he continued stealing cars and petrol drive-offs. Full-time release date before latest offences was November 17 this year.