Fletcher Charles Hosking sentenced for intentional 120km/h crash that disabled passenger

A teenager was extorted out of thousands of dollars by a “sextortionist” before he deliberately crashed into a tree at 120km/h, leaving his passenger wheelchair-bound.

Fletcher Charles Hosking leaves the Brisbane Supreme Court. Picture: Tertius Pickard

A teenager was extorted out of thousands of dollars by a “sextortionist” criminal before he intentionally crashed into a tree at 120km/h, leaving his passenger wheelchair-bound, in a devastating crash that has led him to face court this week.

Fletcher Charles Hosking, 20, was sentenced on Wednesday after pleading guilty earlier this week to one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm.

The Brisbane District Court was told on Monday how Hosking had only just turned 18 when he drove at speeds of 120km/h along Prebble Street, Rochedale, and intentionally crashed into a large tree on December 8, 2022.

Hosking’s passenger, an 18-year-old woman, suffered serious injuries to her spine and right foot as a result.

She was forced to undergo a number of surgeries and learn how to walk again in her new life as an incomplete paraplegic, in which she now requires a wheelchair at times.

Her victim impact statement stated: “I hope by holding Fletcher accountable, the court can prevent this from happening to someone else”.

“I want Fletcher to receive the help he needs so that no one else suffers as my family and I have.”

Hosking had also received significant injuries including pelvic fractures and was hospitalised for five weeks.

Fletcher Charles Hosking. Picture: Tertius Pickard

The court was told the woman and Hosking had been friends for about four months prior to the crash and had bonded over shared mental health difficulties.

Hosking had previously talked to the woman about driving a car into a tree, but his passenger had assumed it was simply “dark humour,” the court heard.

Judge David Kent KC acknowledged in his sentencing remarks on Wednesday that Hosking had been struggling with significant mental health struggles – which had been exacerbated by Hosking being subjected to a months-long extortion scheme at the time.

Judge Kent said Hosking had been extorted out of thousands of dollars by criminals who had obtained his personal photographs through social media.

On Monday, defence barrister Angus Edwards explained how the “sextortion” had even continued when Hosking was hospitalised after the crash – and only ended when Hosking led them to believe he had died.

Judge Kent said this had been “enormously stressful” and was relevant to understanding his mental state at the time of the offence.

But he said Hosking’s “reckless and irresponsible” actions had also resulted in long-term consequences for not only himself, but also his friend – “whose life has been profoundly affected”.

Judge Kent noted Hosking was a young first time offender, and had already suffered significant extra-curial punishment in the form of his injuries.

He said in his view, Hosking was unlikely to reoffend and was not an appropriate vehicle for general deterrence given his unique personal circumstances at the time of the offending.

“Immediate imprisonment may impose an unusual hardship on you considering your mental health issues,” Judge Kent told Hosking at sentence.

He sentenced Hosking to two years imprisonment, with immediate release on parole.

Hosking was disqualified from holding or obtaining a drivers licence for the next 12 months.