Brandon Johnston: Ex-brick layer jailed for horror Morayfield Rd driving
An intoxicated ex-brick layer, convicted of driving stolen cars, has been jailed after driving into oncoming traffic in a horror stunt on a southeast Queensland road.
Moreton
Don't miss out on the headlines from Moreton. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A intoxicated former brick layer driving his car towards oncoming traffic has been handed a jail sentence.
Brandon Allen Johnston pleaded guilty to a list of 19 charges in Caboolture Magistrates Court including dangerous operation of a vehicle while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance and unlawful use of a motor vehicle from a separate offence.
The court heard Johnston was driving on Morayfield Rd on August 14, 2020 when he started steering his car towards oncoming traffic and pulling away at the last minute.
Prosecutor Patrick Carey said the terrifying stunt left a “very, very small margin for error”, adding it was more “by the grace of God” and not Johnston’s driving skills that a serious head-on crash did not take place.
However the court heard Johnston did have a rear-end crash with a Toyota Corolla being driven by a 75-year-old man.
Mr Carey said the stunt was reminiscent of other dangerous driving incidents reported across the state, which in some cases has allegedly caused fatalities, and that the public was fed up with that kind of behaviour.
“We’ve seen in the case of Townsville... (citizens have) taken the law into their own hands,” he said.
The court heard Johnston was also reported by witnesses to be driving erratically down Morayfield Rd on October 11, 2020.
The court heard he was seen running through red lights in a stolen car.
The court heard Johnston had previously worked as a brick layer, doing fencing and fabrication work but had also developed a drug habit spanning five years.
He was given a head sentence of 12 months jail for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle while adversely affected. He will be released on parole on May 26.
MORE LOCAL NEWS:
Dozens stranded as tide runs out on island barge
A misjudgment left a Moreton Bay island barge stuck in mud, sparking outrage among residents and reigniting debates over the islands’ transport strategy.
‘Revenue-raising weapon’: Hundreds of parking fines to be contested in class action
A Brisbane IT expert is preparing a class action against Redland City Council, alleging thousands of parking fines at ferry terminals were issued under questionable regulations.