Aaron Baker jailed after stealing motorbike, drink driving and threatening roommate
A drug-addled North Coast man with a criminal record including violent and sexual offending stole his roommate’s motorbike while they hid from him, a court heard.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A drug-addled North Coast man snatched his roommates’ motorbike on two occasion and took the vehicle for a spin through Mullumbimby while intoxicated and unlicensed.
Aaron Baker pleaded guilty to stealing the vehicle and two counts of driving disqualified over video link at Byron Bay Local Court on Monday.
The 38-year-old Nashua man also pleaded guilty to one count each of intimidation and low-range drink driving.
Baker was caught riding the stolen Hyosung motorbike on Mullumbimby Rd in Mullumbimby about 8.30am on January 20, while his licence was disqualified, police documents state.
A day later, about 4.30pm, officers spotted Baker standing with a helmet near the same motorbike and he was warned him not to ride it.
But moments later Baker was spotted on the motorbike and pulled over on Station St.
“The accused told police he wanted to ride the bike back to his house in Nashua,” police facts state.
Baker was taken to Byron Bay Police Station, where he recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.053 - and told police he downed five cans of Wild Turkey 101 before he left home.
The owner of the bike told police he had been scared since Baker moved in last year and the court heard Baker’s “aggressive outbursts” were closely related to drug use.
The court was told Baker screamed in the victim’s face: “Don’t f--king tell me what to do or there will be f--king trouble”.
“I make the rules right,” he said.
The victim hid in the bathroom, hoping Baker would calm down, but instead emerged to find his motorbike had been taken.
“Baker is very muscularly built and considerably taller than the victim,” police facts state.
“The accused has an extensive criminal history involving violent and sexual offences.”
Defence lawyer Kylie Anderson Clark told the court Baker battled with drug addiction.
“He has struggled in the last three years with relapse,” she said.
Ms Clark said Baker “accepted his behaviour was related to that”.
“I’m confident with the right support he can get himself on track … he has had no drugs in custody and is hoping to remain clean when he is released” she said.
“He understands he shouldn’t have taken the bike … he didn’t realise he was causing (the victim) that distress.”
Anderson Clark said Baker wanted to find work in the Northern Rivers if released.
Magistrate Karen Stafford told the court Baker’s offending happened five months into a six-month parole period following a sexual violence offence.
“The community can’t be safe with releasing you on an intensive corrections order – full-time custody is the only appropriate sentence,” she said.
Ms Stafford sentenced Baker to one year and eight months in jail and he must complete drug rehabilitation programs.
Baker was disqualified from driving for six months and a two year AVO was put in place to protect the victim.
Company stung after breaching fire ants protocol
A Queensland landscaping supply company has been fined after delivering up to 152 loads of potentially deadly fire ant carrying material across the border to NSW - including to two schools.
‘Yelling obscenities’: Man accused of “random” council worker attack
A Byron Bay man has been accused of “randomly” attacking council workers and yelling “obscenities” at them while they were doing their job, a court has heard. Now he has launched a fresh bid to be released on bail.