Samuel John Dwyer receives suspended jail term in Noosa Magistrates Court

A Noosa magistrate has given a 20-year-old man a suspended jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. Read the details.

A man who sped away from police in Sunshine Beach before calling them to come and get him from a service station has received a suspended prison sentence in a Noosa court.

Samuel John Dwyer, 20, of Sunrise Beach pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, high-range drink-driving, failing to stop and obstructing police.

The defendant appeared in the Noosa Magistrates Court on September 6, 2022.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist sentenced Dwyer to 18 months’ jail, wholly suspended for two years, for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

A conviction was recorded.

Police prosecutor Phillip Stephens said that on June 10, 2022, police were patrolling in Sunshine Beach when they noticed a BMW sedan.

He said police saw the car travelling at a high speed on a couple of streets before turning onto David Low Way.

Sergeant Stephens said police followed, activated their lights and then tried to pull the car over.

The police prosecutor said the car sped up and crossed double lines to overtake other vehicles while approaching the crest of a hill.

He said other motorists had to brake or pull over to avoid the BMW.

Police stopped following the car.

Sergeant Stephens said a little later, a Noosa police officer received a phone call.

“He just stated he had run from police and was now at the Coolum 7/11,” he said.

The police prosecutor said police met the defendant at Coolum Beach and gave him a breath test.

“He stated he’d consumed about 10 beers and at least five vodka and oranges that evening,” Sergeant Stephens said.

The defendant measured a blood alcohol concentration of 0.158 per cent.

Dwyer was charged with obstruct police after he was told he needed to go to the police station for another test and could not place anything in his mouth.

The police prosecutor said a few minutes later he later started smoking an e-cigarette.

Solicitor Jason Kerr submitted character references and other paperwork to the court.

The solicitor said the defendant voluntarily surrendered to police.

Mr Stjernqvist said he took into account the defendant’s plea of guilty to “serious” offences.

“You were quick to realise the gravity of your situation and call the police and for that there’s some significant discount,” he said.

Mr Stjernqvist also fined Dwyer $1400 and disqualified him from driving for 14 months.