Woman, 4 kids carjacked by man in drug-induced psychosis
A man has repeatedly said “they’re going to f--king kill me” as he carjacked a woman and four children while in a drug-induced psychosis.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A man repeatedly said “they’re going to f--king kill me” as he carjacked a woman and four children while in a drug-induced psychosis.
Zane Jet Shelton filled up his green Ford ute at a Hermit Park service station with almost $100 worth of fuel before driving off without paying.
An hour later, a woman was pulling into the driveway of her Cranbrook home when Shelton arrived and demanded she get out of the car.
He pulled on the car’s door handle, repeatedly saying “they’re going to f--king kill me”.
There were four children in the car, three the children of the woman driving.
The woman told the children to get out of the car and call police.
Shelton overpowered the woman, who was trying to keep the door closed, and pushed his way into the driver’s seat.
While he backed out of the driveway, he began to push her out of the car.
She fell on to the road and Shelton sped off.
Police later recovered the vehicle in Black River Road.
Townsville District Court heard the woman and children were traumatised by the event.
Documents tendered to the court said Shelton was likely suffering from a drug-induced psychosis at the time.
He pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including stealing, robbery with violence and assault occasioning bodily harm.
Judge Gregory Lynham said the day after the incident, Shelton phoned police to confess and hand himself in.
Judge Lynham said the woman did not have any lasting physical injuries but the incident would have been traumatising.
“Your offending can only be described as very serious. This can only be a traumatic experience for both the complainant and (the) children … they have a person who is clearly acting in a very bizarre, erratic and violent way in front of the complainant, who simply drove into her yard with the children,” he said.
Shelton, a New Zealand citizen, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, to serve 342 days.
Originally published as Woman, 4 kids carjacked by man in drug-induced psychosis