Rhys Alan Pickels in court for dangerous driving, evade police

A Sunshine Coast court has relived the terrifying moment a police officer was nearly mowed down by a 30-year-old speedster. Here is what happened.

A Sunshine Coast court has heard details about the terrifying moment a 30-year-old man sped towards a police officer who narrowly escaped being run over.

Rhys Allen Pickels pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 to 24 charges, including eight traffic offences as well as fraud, possessing drugs, trespass, breaking and entering, possessing a knife in public, breaching bail, failing to appear and stealing.

But one of the most serious charges was where Pickels almost mowed down a police officer on April 11.

The court heard Pickels approached the police car at speed and swerved to the left, narrowly missing the officer standing outside the police car.

Police prosecutor James Allen said Pickels did not slow down as he drove past.

Rhys Allen Pickels, 30, sped at a police officer and narrowly avoided mowing him down.

“(Police) activated their lights and he has accelerated away heavily,” Mr Allen said.

The chase was short lived out of concerns for public safety, the court heard.

Pickels would go on to commit a spate of offences, including breaking into his cousin’s house under the cover of night and stole $3620 worth of belongings.

The house formerly belonged to Pickels’ grandfather, but was sold to his cousin after he died.

Pickels’ defence lawyer said his client was largely raised by his grandfather and mother in this house, and there was “bad blood” between the family after it was sold.

His client had been in custody for four months, he said.

Pickels was sentenced to 30 months behind bars and disqualified from driving for three years and three months.

He will be released on parole on February 25, 2023.

Maroochydore Courthouse. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The full list of charges he pleaded guilty to were:

- Breaching bail

- Contravening a community based order

- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle

- Driving without a licence

- Driving without a licence suspended

- Break and enter at night

- Break and enter to commit an indictable offence

- Two charges of evading police

- Failing to appear

- Five charges of fraud

- Possessing a dangerous drug

- Possessing a knife in a public place

- Two charges of stealing

- Trespass

- Unlawful use of a motor vehicle

- Three charges of drug driving (not under the influence)