Joshua Pratt pleads guilty to fraud in Brisbane court

A Redcliffe man who repeatedly shifted blame for offences he committed behind the wheel onto someone else has been dealt a whopping fine for his “stupid” behaviour.

Joshua David Pratt, 24, leaves the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 30.

A Redcliffe man has been dealt a hefty fine for trying to have someone else take the rap for his repeated illegal actions behind the wheel.

Joshua David Pratt, 24, of Scarborough faced the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 30 and pleaded guilty to two offences of fraud and one of attempted fraud.

The court heard the young man was detected speeding on two occasions last year – one time driving 75km per hour in a 60km per hour zone and another time driving 110km per hour in a 100km per hour zone.

He received two traffic infringement notices and declared, both times, that the person who was speeding was someone else named Cameron Daniel. He entered that person’s details, including their correct date of birth, address and driver’s licence number, via a secure online portal.

The infringement notices were subsequently waived.

Pratt was later caught using a mobile phone while driving and issued another infringement notice and a ticket to the amount of $1078, as well as four demerit points.

He once again nominated Cameron Daniel as the driver at the time of the offence.

Defence lawyer Andrew Stewart said his client had since been reissued with tickets for all of his offences, receiving eight demerit points and fines totalling more than $1800.

He said Pratt’s offending was related to fears he may lose his driver’s licence which would in turn affect his ability to perform his work duties as a full-time salesperson for hose fittings.

The court heard Pratt had a limited criminal history and a “chequered” traffic history.

Magistrate Colin Strofield said Pratt’s “stupid” actions were disappointing, particularly given he was of “obvious character and ability”.

Pratt was dealt a single fine of $3000 for his crimes and no conviction was recorded. It is understood he has just one point left on his licence.