Selena Jean Thomson sentenced for police evasion, drug driving

A woman that had barely stepped out of jail after burglary and stealing was back before the courts after evading police when they caught her speeding.

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A woman that had barely stepped out of jail after burglary and stealing was back before the courts after evading police when they caught her speeding.

Selena Jean Thomson, 31, was released on parole earlier this year after being sentenced to two and half years jail in 2022.

Proserpine Magistrates Court heard Thompson was caught speeding along Shute Harbour Rd towards Airlie Beach shortly before 4pm on June 11.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Emma Myors told the court police officers had used their sirens and lights to indicate to Thompson she had to stop but she did not and attempted to get away.

She said Thomson sped up and overtook a vehicle while going through a roundabout before officers had to call off their attempts to catch up with her as “road and traffic conditions” made it unsafe.

At 6:40pm, Thomson took herself into the Whitsunday Police Station and agreed to participate in an interview where she told police she had “panicked”.

Legal Aid Queensland solicitor Rosemary Varley said Thomson had voluntarily handed herself in less than three hours after the incident.

Along with evading police, Thompson was charged with driving with an expired licence on June 21, and drug-driving with methamphetamines in her system on two dates in July while on a provisional licence.

The court heard she had an extensive traffic and criminal history, with previous drug-driving offences and was still on parole until mid-2024 after being convicted of burglary and stealing in August, 2022.

Ms Varley said Thomson worked as a linen service operator five days a week.

Corrective Services court officer Tanya Fitzgerald said Thomson had complied with directions since her parole release and they did not intend to ask for her reincarceration.

Thompson pleaded guilty to all charges.

Magistrate Michelle Howard told Thompson to get her “life in order” and fined her $8190 and disqualified her licence for two and a half years.

Thompson further received eight months’ probation.

Convictions were recorded.