Andrew James Laidlaw sentenced after chilling act to ex-partner’s car

A former airline pilot who attended one of Queensland’s most elite schools “travelled under the cover of darkness” to his former partner’s home and committed a chilling act.

Andrew James Laidlaw, 57, pleaded guilty on Thursday to the rare charge of endangering the safe use of vehicles and related transport infrastructure. Picture: Supplied

A former airline pilot who attended one of Queensland’s most elite schools “travelled under the cover of darkness” to his former partner’s home and cut her vehicle’s brake hoses in a “chilling” act that carries a maximum term of life imprisonment.

The woman, who later received flowers from her DV abuser, only realised her two front brake hoses had been severed the following day when she went to reverse out of her Mt Ommaney driveway.

“The fact that neither the victim or other road users were not harmed is due to only good fortune, as well as I can say, careful management by the victim,” Justice Elizabeth Wilson said.

Andrew James Laidlaw, 57, pleaded guilty on Thursday to the rare charge of endangering the safe use of vehicles and related transport infrastructure – domestic violence offence which carries a maximum life penalty.

Crown prosecutor Matt Le Grand told Brisbane’s Supreme Court that on July 29 2023 Laidlaw travelled from his Greenbank home to his ex-partner’s place and used a garage remote to access the place and sever her left and right front brake hoses.

Mr Le Grand said Laidlaw must or ought to have appreciated “the enormous danger” posed by the act.

The following day as she was reversing out of the garage the woman realised the brakes weren’t working and had to apply the handbrake. The vehicle was later inspected and the cut brake hoses discovered.

After he was charged Laidlaw was placed on bail and in February 2024 sent the woman flowers telling her he loved her and asking the florist not to disclose his identity.

The Crown did not allege Laidlaw had an intent to kill or to cause grievous bodily harm but must have intended to endanger the safe use of the victim’s vehicle.

Laidlaw’s barrister Andrew Hoare, KC, instructed by Ivan Sayad of Sans Law, said importantly his client did not disable the rear or parking brakes.

Andrew James Laidlaw, 57, pleaded guilty on Thursday to the rare charge of endangering the safe use of vehicles and related transport infrastructure. Picture: Supplied

“The concerning aspects of this case is the inability to acknowledge the wishes of his ex to terminate a relationship,” he said.

Several character references were tendered that spoke well of Laidlaw who had worked in the aviation industry for 25 years and was “otherwise of good character”.

The court heard he had been educated at Ipswich Grammar and had a supportive upbringing but when aged 20 his father was murdered.

While in custody he had been threatened and assaulted causing head injuries.

Justice Wilson said the former airline pilot’s offending was “malicious”.

“It is extraordinary really … and using his expertise in terms of mechanics to do it,” she said.

“It is clear, in my view, that you ought to appreciate the enormous danger that the act of disabling a vehicle’s ability to break posed

“It becomes a dangerous weapon to the person driving it and to the community as a whole, to other road users. In this case, there is premeditation to this offending … and (you) made no attempt to communicate with her and warn her about what you had done.

“Despite no physical harm being occasioned, the offending has taken a substantial emotional toll on the victim, and I must say that when I read the victim impact statement it was quite chilling as to how she found out about what had happened.”

Since been charged laidlaw had not “taken stock, you haven’t reflected, and you haven’t stopped. “

“You have persistently offended against your ex,” she said.

The court head Laidlaw had breached bail six times mainly by contacting the victim.

He was sentenced to three years jail with 407 days of pre-sentence custody declared as time served. He was released on immediate parole.