John Eric Lamport fined for evading police

A Nambour businessman whose attempt to escape police quickly ended with him crashing through a fence has been slapped with more than $9k in fines after he narrowly avoided time behind bars.

A Nambour businessman’s short-lived attempt to escape police before he crashed through a fence has cost him more than $9000.

John Eric Lamport was fined $9392.52 in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday after he drove away from police on Fourth Ave, Coolum on August 15, last year.

The court heard Lamport woke up in hospital after he took police on a short 600m chase.

“Police tried to pull you over and you have accelerated away to get away from them,” Magistrate Catherine Benson said.

“You have taken a corner at speed, missed the corner and crashed.”

Police prosecutor David Hoffman said Lamport had marijuana in his system at the time of the crash and blew a blood alcohol reading of 0.115.

“He has gone through a fence and caused damage,” he said.

Senior Constable Hoffman said Lamport put police, the community and himself in danger by initiating a police chase.

He said the father-of-two, who was on a Supreme Court suspended sentence at the time of his offending, had an “unenviable” criminal history with serious drug, weapon and assault offences.

Constable Hoffman said he had previously been given the benefit of fines, probation, community service, suspended sentences and actual prison.

He said friends and family who described Lamport as a “good member of the community” may not be aware of the extent of his criminal history.

He said 70 days in prison would be appropriate.

Lamport’s solicitor Chelsea Emery said the 33-year-old, who struggled with his mental health, had received news that a fifth friend had tragically died by suicide on the day of the offence.

“My client then reverted back to old behaviours, started consuming a large amount of alcohol and unfortunately jumped in the car,” she said.

Ms Emery said Lamport co-operated with police and showed his genuine remorse by fixing the fence within three days of the crash.

Ms Emery said he had launched a clothing business on August 13, last year and had actively taken steps towards his rehabilitation.

She said he had a close relationship with his mother, brother and the mothers of his children who all spoke very highly of him.

If handed a prison sentence Lamport expressed concern for his business and the wellbeing of his two daughters.

Ms Emery said Lamport had written-off a sentimental car, would endure a lengthy disqualification period and had good prospects of rehabilitation.

She asked for a fine to be imposed.

Ms Benson said she agreed the picture painted by Lamport’s support network didn’t match his criminal history.

She said the decision whether or not to send Lamport to prison was a tough one.

But ultimately decided time behind bars wouldn’t benefit his mental health or rehabilitation.

Ms Benson noted his display of genuine remorse and fined Lamport a total of $9392.52.

He was disqualified from driving for two years and three months.

He was also committed to the Supreme Court to have his breach of suspended sentence considered.