Harley Dea Adams, 24, of Park Ridge sentenced for evading police and burnout while disqualified

A 24-year-old leadfoot was only too glad to swap a stint behind bars for a near $7k fine after evading police while court disqualified from driving.

A 24-year-old serial traffic offender has copped thousands in fines and a brief stint in the dock to impress on him the very real possibility of imprisonment.

Appearing at Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Monday (June 4) Harley Dea Adams of Park Ridge pleaded guilty to eight charges.

They included evading police, wilfully making unnecessary noise or smoke, driving while court-disqualified and possessing dangerous drugs.

The court heard at 12:30pm on August 19 police observed Adams accelerating heavily from a Palm Beach intersection on the Gold Coast while driving a black Holden.

He sped away through traffic despite police activating their lights and sirens while in pursuit.

Around 10 minutes later his vehicle was intercepted with Adams’ female passenger behind the wheel.

Adams told police he had initially driven the vehicle because the woman had been too unwell following a drug overdose.

According to police, he had been disqualified from driving by a court at the time.

A search of his vehicle uncovered 1 gram cannabis and a glass bong.

Harley Dea Adams, 24, of Park Ridge leaves Beenleigh Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to evading police and doing a burnout while disqualified from driving. Picture: Marcel Baum.

On May 25 at 8.40pm he was observed by police as he performed a burnout and slid sideways from a Park Ridge intersection.

The court heard he told police he was trying to dislodge mud from his wheels, despite officers noting his tyres were bald.

Adams was at the time disqualified from driving for speeding in excess of 40km/h above the limit.

The prosecution noted he had also twice failed to appear at court, and urged a sentence of imprisonment.

An unrepresented Adams explained he had been living rurally at the time and kept driving for work.

While standing in the dock, the visibly nervous defendant said he realised the gravity of his situation.

“I was looking to change my ways,” he said.

“It is getting to be too much.”

Magistrate Tracy Mossop said while Adams’ offences were “serious” and “stupid” they were toward the lower end for their type.

Ms Mossop further acknowledged Adams had co-operated with police.

Adams was fined the mandatory minimum $6,893 for evading police and sentenced to 18 months’ probation.

He was further disqualified from driving for two years.

No conviction was recorded.