Noah Felix Widgell jailed in Toowoomba Magistrates Court for evading police

A court was told a 21-year-old knew his licence was suspended, but instead of stopping for the police, he sped off. It was a decision that cost him dearly.

Noah Felix Widgell was jailed for evading police.

A young man facing armed robbery charges in the Supreme Court got an early start on his sentencing by pleading guilty to evading police – a charge that brings a mandatory minimum of 50 days in jail.

At just 21, Noah Felix Widgell has already served two stints in jail and is currently being held on remand for his alleged involvement in a violent armed robbery where two women were assaulted.

He is yet to enter a plea to the charges of armed robbery in company with violence, and acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm.

On Tuesday, his lesser charges were dealt with in the Magistrates Court.

They included four counts of driving on a suspended licence, evading police and possessing dangerous drugs, to which he pleaded guilty.

The court was told CCTV captured Widgell driving to a Toowoomba venue about 2am on July 30, 2024.

He stayed at the location for about two hours before driving off.

Police observed Widgell in Ruthven St a short time later and activated their lights and sirens.

The court was told that instead of stopping, Widgell accelerated at speed and turned into Alderley St.

Acting in his defence, solicitor Alysha Jacobsen told the court Widgell has a disadvantaged upbringing and was trying to get his life in order so he could be a father to his two children.

“He knew he was unlicensed, that was the reason for the evade,” she said.

Magistrate Kyna Morice sentenced Widgell to the 50 days in jail and disqualified him from holding a driver’s licence for 28 months.

That jail time was taken off the 181 days Widgell has already served in pre-sentence custody while he waits for his armed robbery charges to be resolved.

He remains in custody.

Originally published as Noah Felix Widgell jailed in Toowoomba Magistrates Court for evading police