Driver ‘drunk, drug-affected’ when he hit police officer

An unlicensed, drug affected driver who slingshotted his car into a police officer while he was doing “hand brakies” around a roundabout has narrowly avoided jail.

An unlicensed, drug-affected driver who slingshotted his car into a police officer while he was doing “hand brakies” around a roundabout has narrowly escaped jail.

Joshua Grant Shackell, 20, was behind the wheel of his Ford Laser when he hit Constable Ben Condon as the officer signalled for him to stop his car at Yarrabilba, near Logan, in December 2018.

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Constable Condon, the son of Queensland Assistant Commissioner Mike Condon, injured his leg and was put on light duties for four months and still suffers from PTSD after the incident, the Brisbane District Court was told this morning.

Constable Ben Condon still undergoes physiotherapy for soft tissue damage to his leg, which the court heard was not seriously injured.

Shackell admitted he had taken ecstasy, cocaine and was drinking heavily on the night but alleged during a contested sentence hearing in September that it was his school friend Sebastian Rodriguez who had been driving.

Judge David Reid was convinced Shackell was at the wheel because of the inconsistent statements he gave to police and a tearful confession he gave to his mother.

Shackell was originally charged with attempted murder but the charge was downgraded and he instead pleaded guilty to serious assault of a police officer, dangerous operation of a vehicle, burglary with a circumstance of aggravation and five summary charges.

Joshua Grant Shackell did not intend to hit the officer, the court was told. Picture: Annette Dew

Barrister Martin Longhurst said there was no suggestion Shackell had intended to hit the officer and he had little memory of the night.

He said Shackell had issues with alcohol but had taken positive steps since he moved to the Mackay region to live with his father and work in the mines.

“He’s gone from a 19-year-old with some anger problems and a significant drinking problem to someone who has been sober and accountable for over 12 months,” Mr Longhurst said.

Prosecutor Chontelle Farnsworth pushed for Shackell to spend time in jail, arguing that his offending was aggravated because his licence was disqualified and he was on probation for dangerous driving when he hit Constable Condon.

The court heard nine months afterwards while he was on bail, Shackell took part in a home invasion where he and two others entered a house with a broken bottle and stole keys and a wallet.

Judge Reid said his behaviour was “clearly out of control” but he was convinced Shackell had begun to turn his life around.

He sentenced him to three years’ jail with immediate parole.

Shackell was also disqualified from driving until May 2023.