Dylan John Thomas Brown pleads guility to role in three-hour chase in stolen luxury car
A man who led police to his door in a clumsy bid to shake his pursuers during an hours-long chase in a stolen Mercedes has been sentenced in court.
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A man who helped lead police on a three-hour chase across the Gold Coast and its surrounds in a stolen luxury vehicle has walked away from court with a probation order.
Dylan John Thomas Brown sped through traffic and down the wrong side of the road – even while overtaking other cars around blind corners – in a stolen Mercedes on April 30.
Southport Magistrates Court was told Polair had already been tracking the stolen rental for more than two hours when Brown got behind the wheel. The 31-year-old was a passenger in the car for the remainder of the pursuit.
Brown was arrested at his home in Wolffdene – near Yatala – after stopping to ditch his distinctive red shoes and other clothing.
Police found small quantities of methamphetamine and marijuana along with drug utensils when they searched his bedroom.
Brown was chatty with reporters when first released from the Southport watchhouse on bail, saying the events that unfolded during the car chase were “for (him) to know and you to find out”.
It was a different story when Brown left the courthouse with his mother and his lawyer on Thursday, covering his face with a mask and sunglasses and refusing to comment on the case.
Prosecutor Chelsea Thorn submitted Brown should be sentenced to jail, saying it was not a “momentary lapse” but consistent and protracted offending that endangered public safety.
Ms Thorn said Brown’s licence was already suspended at the time.
Defence lawyer Kiara D’Odorico said Brown had a difficult upbringing and suffered a significant decline in his mental health after a serious head knock ended his promising future in rugby league.
Ms D’Odorico said her client had struggled with substance abuse and mental health concerns, but realised he needed to address them and was now seeking treatment.
“Unfortunately it has taken something as serious as this day for this to be a massive wake-up call for Mr Brown,” she said.
“Mr Brown has taken various positive steps to really rehabilitate himself and become a contributing member of society, rather than taking from it.”
Magistrate Joan White said she accepted Brown was remorseful and urged him to keep working to overcome the “huge barrier” of his drug and alcohol abuse.
Brown pleaded guilty to several charges including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and possessing dangerous drugs.
He was placed on probation for two years and disqualified from driving for nine months.
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