Jake Edward Thomas Lavery: Boss offers $10,000 bail for jailed Charters Towers worker

A Queensland man who went on the run and told police they’d never catch him, has made a brazen appeal for bail from his prison cell, backed by his trusting boss.

Lavery avoided police offers for over a week when he became aware there was a warrant for his arrest over the alleged choking of a woman. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

A Charters Towers man who went on the run and told police they’d never catch him has made a brazen appeal for freedom from his prison cell - and his boss is backing him with $10,000 in bail money.

Jake Edward Thomas Lavery, 27, avoided police officers for well over a week in November when he became aware there was a warrant for his arrest over the alleged choking of a woman.

Charters Towers Magistrates Court heard that Lavery told the cops “he would not be turning himself in, and they would be unable to catch him”.

This was a concern for the police prosecutor who described Mr Lavery as a man who “had the means to avoid police”.

Mr Lavery eventually sought legal advice and turned himself in.

Jake Edward Thomas Lavery, 2021.

On December 16, Mr Lavery’s lawyers applied for bail before Magistrate Susan Warrington.

Tom Hancock instructed by Connolly Suthers Lawyers argued that Mr Lavery was supported by his employer, who was personally offering to put his own $10,000 up as bail money for Mr Lavery.

“That is a powerful factor for your honour's consideration,” Mr Hancock said.

“It speaks to (the employer’s) assessment of my client’s character. He trusts Mr Lavery will surrender himself to police if released.”

Another element in Lavery’s favour, according to Mr Hancock, was the fact the 27-year-old intends to plead not guilty and take the choking charge to trial.

“The Charters Towers District Court sits just a few times a year,” Mr Hancock said.

“He could be waiting for 12 to 14 months (to go to trial).”

Mr Hancock also threw doubt on the police’s evidence, saying it all hinged on how truthful the victim was being.

The court heard the police evidence involved written testimony from the victim, evidence from the doctor who treated her, a map, and pictures.

Ultimately, Ms Warrington denied Mr Lavery’s bail, saying the man’s history of breaching court orders made him an unacceptable risk.

Mr Lavery’s matter was adjourned to January 6, 2025.

He remains in prison.

Originally published as Jake Edward Thomas Lavery: Boss offers $10,000 bail for jailed Charters Towers worker