Haydyn Phillip Loy pleads guilty to dangerous driving while adversely affected, assault

A man drove drunk for 14km across the Sunshine Coast before ditching his car and attacking a bystander.

Haydyn Phillip Loy faced Maroochydore District Court on Wednesday. Picture: Sam Turner

A Nambour man has been jailed for his afternoon of madness where he drove drunk and dangerously across the Sunshine Coast before assaulting a dog walker.

Haydyn Phillip Loy hugged his partner goodbye in Maroochydore District Court on Wednesday before he was led away by police to serve four months behind bars for his wild series of offences on December 6, 2023.

Crown prosecutor Nicola Hamilton told the court of the 33-year-old’s crimes following previous guilty pleas to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle while adversely affected, failing to give identifying particulars in a crash, assault, wilful damage and stealing.

Ms Hamilton said the spree began about 5.25pm where calls were made to police about Loy driving dangerously in his black Holden ute.

The court heard Loy drove from Maroochydore to Nambour, where he was seen driving at speed, fishtailing, cutting a driver off, revving his engine, running a red light and weaving through traffic.

Loy outside court. Picture: Sam Turner

He also collided with another car and left the scene before he could give his information. No one was injured and he drove off.

His drunken endeavour concluded in a highly populated area of Nambour which was brimming with rush hour traffic, where he failed to negotiate a corner with a busted tyre.

As a result he collided with several wheelie bins and nearly hit a tree. He continued to drive as smoke billowed from his car.

Judge Gary Long said Loy came to a stop and left his car at Aspland St.

Multiple bystanders witnessed the 33-year-old stagger away, including a man walking his dog.

“You didn’t f---ing see anything,” Loy said.

“The whole street just saw you mate,” the man said with a laugh.

When the victim took his phone out to take a picture of Loy leaving the scene, the Nambour man demanded the device before he punched the dog walker in the face.

The court was told Loy stood on the victim’s sunglasses and damaged them. He then took the man’s phone after stomping on it several times.

“I know where you are and I’ll f---ing kill you if you talk,” Ms Hamilton quoted Loy saying.

He pleaded guilty. Picture: Sam Turner

Police arrived and arrested Loy. He later returned a reading of 0.163 per cent.

Loy told officers he drank earlier in the day and did not plan to drive, however, got behind the wheel following an argument with a friend.

Ms Hamilton spoke of Loy’s previous criminal history which showed issues with alcohol as well as his traffic record where he had lost his licence five times and had two previous convictions for drink driving.

The court was told he had been suspended from driving since the incident 16 months ago.

Defence barrister Mark Dixon claimed Loy could serve a jail sentence where he stayed in the community, which would involve an immediate release on parole to address his drinking.

Mr Dixton said the 33-year-old was exposed to alcohol early in his life and had an “unstable” childhood. The court heard he had stopped drinking heavily since being charged.

The barrister said the Nambour man, who previously worked in earth moving and had caring responsibilities for his mother, would be more vulnerable in prison due to his mental health.

Judge Long acknowledged Loy’s remorse and insight into his crimes but believed a message needed to be sent to the community to show how unacceptable his offending really was.

Loy was jailed for 21 months but will be released on parole on August 30 after serving four months in custody. No disqualification on his licence was given due to the previous suspension.