Father-of-nine takes police on lengthy chase near Ayr

Police say it was “sheer luck” no one was killed or seriously injured when a Townsville father-of-nine led them on a lengthy chase.

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A TOWNSVILLE father-of-nine covered his face from the cops before he led them on a lengthy car chase and fled on foot.

Derek Jermaine Malayta, 29, was jailed after he pleaded guilty to 26 charges in the Townsville Magistrates Court on April 13.

The court heard that on May 28, 2020, Malayta was driving dangerously through a rural area near Ayr when a marked police car passed him.

Derek Jermaine Malayta pleaded guilty to 26 charges in Townsville on April 13, 2021. Photo: Facebook.

Police prosecutor Cassandra Nitz said Malayta attempted to “hide his identity” as police drove past by “turning his head and putting his arm over his face”.

Police observed the vehicle Malayta was driving had a smashed rear windscreen that was being held together with some tape.

When police attempted to approach Malayta he “immediately accelerated away” despite them activating their lights and sirens.

Malayta continued to increase his speed, travelling in excess of 140km/h, which was 80km/h above the speed limit.

Ms Nitz said Malayta did not stop there and he “continued to increase his speed” driving away from police.

“He doesn’t slow down or brake at a four-way intersection at all,” Ms Nitz said.

The court heard police terminated the attempt to intercept Malayta before he “swerved off the road into a cane field”.

Malayta took off into the field and police identified him through forensic examination of his fingerprints.

The court was told at the time of the offence Malayta was disqualified from driving by a court order.

Ms Nitz said there was “no regard shown for the safety of any other road users or police” in the circumstances.

Derek Jermaine Malayta pleaded guilty to 26 charges in Townsville on April 13, 2021. Photo: Facebook.

“It is due to sheer luck, rather than good management, that no one was killed or seriously injured,” Ms Nitz said.

Ms Nitz said the fact that Malayta continued to offend on bail demonstrated no regard for the community or court orders in place.

“He continues to offend in a serious manner,” Ms Nitz said.

The court heard following these offences Malayta broke into premises unknown to him and stole car and house keys.

Malayta’s solicitor Merinda Greenwood said the offending took place on a rural road where there was little traffic.

Ms Greenwood said Malayta became a father to his ninth child this year.

Ms Greenwood said the offending came about through the use of dangerous drugs.

Ten pages of criminal history was tendered to the court.

Magistrate Kenneth Taylor described Malayta’s offending as a “more serious example”.

Malayta was handed a head sentence of 15 months imprisonment and disqualified from holding a licence for two years.

He will be eligible for parole in June.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Father-of-nine takes police on lengthy chase near Ayr