Brae Taylor Lewis pleads guilty for dangerous driving 40km over speed limit

A man on parole for permanently disfiguring his teen girlfriend by setting her on fire has fronted court for an offence that endangered the lives of multiple witnesses.

A man on parole for permanently disfiguring his teenage girlfriend by setting her on fire has once again fronted court.

A Logan man on parole for permanently disfiguring his teenage girlfriend by setting her on fire was back before Beenleigh Magistrates Court this morning after a series of “immature” actions led to his arrest.

Brae Taylor Lewis, 25, from Yarrabilba, pleaded guilty to one charge of dangerous operation of a vehicle, one charge of drive uninsured vehicle, one charge of driving without a licence previous speeding 40km/h over the limit and one charge of driving an unregistered vehicle.

The court heard Lewis drove an uninsured and unregistered motorbike on Burke St, Waterford West, on March 25.

Police Prosecutor Stephen Cochrane said Lewis was surrounded by multiple onlookers who watched him drive the motorbike 40km over the speed limit while performing several “monos”.

“He was not the holder of a driver's license at the time,” Sgt Cochrane said.

Magistrate Patrina Clohessy said Lewis’s offending was an immature act considering his criminal history and parole status.

“You need to make better choices,” Ms Clohessy said.

The magistrate told the court Lewis had been riding his motorbike in tribute to Jai Anderson, a 16-year-old Logan boy who died in a motorcycle crash last year.

Brae Lewis leaving Beenleigh Magistrates Court.

“You rode a motorbike over a total period of 30 minutes while performing dangerous manoeuvres in front of the crowd, putting yourself and the crowd in danger,” Ms Clohessy said.

That included accelerating from a standing start to 100kmh in six seconds.

“You are presently on parole for a nine-and-a-half year prison sentence … you must appreciate the jeopardy you’ve placed yourself in,’’ she said.

“It was an incredibly foolish decision.’’

William Cvitic, for Lewis, said his client had been out of prison for nearly two years and had secured employment, a good relationship with his family and was free from drugs.

“He has had no failed drug tests, has undergone fairly intensive counselling and his offending is de-escalating,” Mr Cvitic said.

“His mental health has stabilised and his life is beginning to show signs of being organised.

“With respect to this conduct, it was an emotional day.’’

The police prosecutor submitted that Lewis serve 12 months’ jail.

Magistrate Clohessy said it is clear Lewis exposed members of the public to risk with his riding.

“Your helmet wasn’t fastened properly. It was an immature action which I accept was intentioned with a view to memorialise the loss of a young person,” Ms Clohessy said.

“A period of imprisonment is appropriate as that is the only penalty open to me that reflects the serious nature of the offence.’’

Lewis was sentenced to serve 12 months’ jail, wholly suspended for 12 months.

He was disqualified from driving for six months and fined $650.

Convictions were recorded.