Waterford West man Trevor Wood steals car, jailed for 20th disqualified driving charge

“Speechless”: An unemployed man has blamed “just stupidity” for driving while disqualified by a court on 20 occasions

An unemployed man with a 35-page traffic and criminal history has been jailed for driving while court disqualified for the 20th time, claiming he was “speechless” at his own “stupidity”.

Appearing at Beenleigh Magistrates Court today, Trevor John Wood, 53, pleaded guilty to nine charges including driving without a licence while disqualified by a court, unlawful use of a vehicle, driving without due care or attention and numerous drug charges.

The court heard Waterford West man Wood crashed into a wall while attempting to evade police during an attempted intercept of a stolen vehicle in March last year.

Magistrate Louise Shephard said the most serious of the man’s offences on the day was driving while court disqualified, given his “extensive history”.

The court heard Wood had previously been sentenced for driving while court disqualified on nine occasions in Queensland and 10 occasions in New South Wales.

Trevor Wood was arrested by police after stealing a vehicle. Generic picture used. Picture: Alix Sweeney

The man had an 7-page criminal and traffic history in Queensland and a 28-page history in New South Wales.

The court heard Woods’ “extensive and sustained” offending occurred despite numerous stints in jail for similar charges.

It led the defence to describe the man’s matter as a “most serious example” of a person driving while disqualified by a court – given his astonishing history which started in 1987 – and submitted that a maximum sentence of 18 months was warranted.

The defence said Wood had last offended in a likewise matter in 2018, was “very remorseful” and “quite speechless” at his offending which occurred due to “just stupidity”.

Wood, the court was told, had worked in construction and served as a carer to his ailing mother and sister, with whom he lived.

Magistrate Shephard said she would not regard his as a most serious example of driving while court disqualified for it lacked an aggravating factor, such as being drunk at the time.

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Wood was sentenced to 15 months’ prison with a May 16 parole date and disqualified from driving for two years.

Convictions were recorded.