Slade James Watson faces court for unlicensed driving to save his baby boy’s life

A father has told a court north of Brisbane he would have done anything to save his son, after he was caught driving unlicensed when told an ambulance was 45 minutes away.

A father has told a court north of Brisbane he would have done anything to save his son, after driving unlicensed when no ambulance arrived to take his son to hospital.

Slade James Watson, 25, pleaded guilty today, Tuesday, April 26, in Caboolture Magistrates Court to driving without a licence when his little boy had a health scare.

The Deception Bay man told the court he knew he was in the wrong, but had to risk it when his baby son was having breathing problems and he was told an ambulance could take 45 minutes or longer to arrive.

The court heard Watson was pulled over by police on November 10, 2021, at 1.45pm.

Slade James Watson, 25, pleaded guilty to driving without a licence at Caboolture Magistrates Court on Tuesday April 26, 2022. Photo: Facebook.

The court heard Watson had spent the past six years in and out of jail, had a lengthy criminal and traffic history, had various mental illnesses, and worked in security.

The court heard Watson and his fiance were worried about their son’s breathing the day of his offending.

“I know it was wrong but I just had to save my son,” Watson told the court.

“I knew I would get in trouble … but I just had to do it.”

Magistrate Andrew Hackett told the court he understood this was a “moral emergency”.

Watson was charged, fined $300, disqualified from driving for one month, and no conviction was recorded.