Lachlan Graveson: Queensland teenager flips car after stealing petrol and running from police

A Queensland teenager who flipped his car on a major Dubbo highway after reaching speeds of 190km/h in a bid to evade police has learned his fate. Here’s how it unfolded.

A Queensland teenager who reached speeds of 190km/h and later flipped his car while on the run from police has faced the wrath of a magistrate.

Lachlan Graveson, 18, of Brightview, near Gatton, appeared in Dubbo Local Court via audio visual link this week, pleading guilty to a string of charges after he was arrested on July 11.

Documents tendered to court reveal Graveson and a co-accused failed to pay for petrol, totalling $108.94 at Inland Petroleum in Walgett.

About 2.42pm the same day, Graveson was spotted by police on Newell Highway trying to overtake other vehicles, and officers activated their warning lights to stop the car.

A pursuit was initiated after Graveson left the road, later travelling to Bourke Street, Dubbo reaching speeds of 120km/h in a 60km/h zone.

After losing sight of the vehicle for a time, Graveson was then seen “weaving between lanes to overtake other commuters”.

Lachlan Graveson was sentenced in Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday.

Police followed Graveson onto the Mitchell Highway, where he was clocked driving at 190km/h, crossing the wrong side of the road “several times” and a short time later, he lost control of the vehicle as it flipped two times before landing on its roof.

Graveson and the co-accused crawled out of the vehicle as they were placed under arrest, with the 18-year-old admitting to being the driver.

He was arrested and conveyed to Dubbo Police Station where he was later transferred to Dubbo Base Hospital to be monitored for injuries.

Graveson was charged with dishonestly obtain property by deception, police pursuit, use vehicle displaying altered number plate, receive property stolen outside NSW and drive motor vehicle during disqualification period.

Lachlan Graveson was taken to Dubbo Police Station on July 11. Picture: Ryan Young

Graveson made “full admissions” to police, revealing that he stole a licence plate off another vehicle in Queensland and it was later revealed he was disqualified in Queensland for six months from January 24.

On Wednesday, the court heard from Graveson’s lawyer, Lucy Maher who conceded that her client would inevitably be handed a custodial sentence given the charges heard before the court.

She noted Graveson’s subjective circumstances, including his struggles with mental health which were acknowledged in a sentencing assessment report.

Ms Maher highlighted Graveson’s “background of trauma,” at the hands of his biological father, which was confirmed in the report by his mother who confirmed it has had ongoing effects on him.

Having entered custody on July 11, Ms Maher appealed for Magistrate Stephen Olischlager to backdate a custodial sentence, saying her client had accepted his actions were “stupid” and understood he would be imprisoned.

Ms Maher said due to Graveson’s insight into the offending, along with his age, he had good prospects of rehabilitation, noting the report which indicated he was a low to medium risk of reoffending.

Mr Olischlager noted the report being “quite favourable” for Graveson, however described the seriousness of the offence as “most significant” due to there being another passenger in the car.

He told Graveson that his actions were “selfish,” and in finding a suitable sentence, full-time imprisonment was the only appropriate judgment, as the 18-year-old did not have viable accommodation in NSW.

Graveson was handed an aggregate sentence of 13 months in prison, backdated to July 11 and expiring on August 10, 2023.

Mr Olischlager imposed a non-parole period of six months, ending on January 10, 2023 and disqualifed Graveson from driving for 12 months.