Baby on board: Criminal leads police in hot pursuit in race to Hobart hospital

A criminal with an extensive record has faced court for an unusual crime, after driving at extreme speeds – with police in pursuit – to get his pregnant girlfriend to hospital.

A recidivist criminal who was worried about his pregnant girlfriend has been jailed after driving at extreme speeds to get her to hospital.

A recidivist criminal and worried expectant dad has been sent back to jail after driving at breakneck speeds – with police in pursuit – to get his pregnant girlfriend to hospital.

Trent Mervyn Leonard, 26, was spotted by a police officer driving along the Midland Highway at Mangalore at 160km/h in an 80km/h zone, during November 2022.

The police officer set off in pursuit of Leonard – whose partner was in the passenger seat – and observed him travelling through an intersection and on the wrong side of the highway at 170km/h.

The court heard the woman sadly had a history of miscarriage and stillbirth, and was “extremely anxious” about her current pregnancy.

Leonard has an “extensive” criminal history, a “rather appalling history of driving offences”, and is said to have a long history of behavioural issues while locked up at Risdon Prison – including assaults on staff and fellow inmates, cell fires, “code blacks”, and throwing faeces underneath doors.

The Royal Hobart Hospital.

While sentencing this week, Supreme Court acting judge David Porter said it had emerged that Leonard’s pregnant partner had been concerned about the wellbeing of her baby, and he was driving her from Kempton to hospital in Hobart “as a matter of urgency”.

Police waiting at the end of the Bowen Bridge also gave chase, but still Leonard – disqualified from driving and affected by the drug ice – did not stop, tearing through Risdon Vale, Geilston Bay and Lindisfarne, at which point he drove over road spikes deployed in anticipation of his arrival.

At a reduced speed, he continued over the Tasman Bridge to the emergency department of the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Leaving his girlfriend in the car, Leonard ran down Argyle Street and tried to hide in some bushes, but was quickly found by police.

Acting Justice Porter said he accepted Leonard was “gravely concerned” for his girlfriend and their baby, and that he had “no faith” an ambulance would get them to hospital in time.

However, the judge also described Leonard’s actions as “foolishly determined” and noted the “stark contradiction” of trying to get his girlfriend to hospital as quickly as possible, while also exposing her to a considerable degree of risk as a passenger.

The baby was ultimately born in January 2023.

Leonard pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving, two counts of evading police with aggravated circumstances, driving while disqualified and breaching a bail condition.

He was jailed for two years and nine months, with a non-parole period of half that time.

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Originally published as Baby on board: Criminal leads police in hot pursuit in race to Hobart hospital