Jaxson Creighton jailed for carjacking and attempted car theft at Maitland

Despite attempts by his dad to stop him, a 25-year-old parolee high on ice unsuccessfully tried to carjack a vehicle before targeting a disabled woman and her carer.

Jackson Creighton was jailed in Newcastle District Court on Tuesday. Supplied Amy Ziniak

On parole and high on ice, a 25-year-old man decided to target a disabled woman and her carer as they left a public pool.

Jaxson Creighton stole the woman’s specially designed vehicle, with his dad Mark in tow.

A court has heard how Creighton had just finished an appointment at the Maitland Community Corrections office and was walking towards Maitland Train Station just before midday on September 12 last year when he decided to jump into a car left idling.

The driver was there to pick up her parents and had got out the vehicle to greet them, with her brother in another vehicle behind.

Creighton junior moved quickly to jump in the driver’s seat and lock the doors.

The court heard he failed to listen to his father who yelled at his son to “get out” but ultimately his plans to drive off were thwarted when the driver’s brother and a random cab driver managed to box him in with their vehicles.

A disabled woman and her carer were targeted in a carjacking in a carpark near Maitland pool on September 12, 2023. Picture: Google Maps.

Both father and son fled and another man gave chase but backed away when the 25-year-old stopped, “produced an item” and held it up saying “f--k off you dog”, the court heard.

Minutes later the pair had ran to a nearby car park at the Maitland Aquatic Centre as a disabled woman and her carer were packing their “extensively modified” Honda CRV up after a session in the water.

Creighton junior again decided to try his luck and jumped in the driver’s seat before he reversed at speed, his father just able to pull both women away to avoid them being run over.

But after everything unfolded, the dad made the final decision to jump into the driver’s seat while his son got in the back and the pair sped off, the car later being set alight and destroyed.

Creighton senior was given a jail term of at least a year after he pleaded guilty to one count of taking and driving a conveyance without the consent of its owner and one count of accessory before the fact to an attempted taking and driving a conveyance without the consent of its owner.

It was Creighton junior’s turn in Newcastle District Court on Tuesday as he appeared via video link to learn his fate.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of taking and driving a conveyance without the consent of its owner and a charge of intimidation.

The Crown solicitor told the court in both situations victims were present, and noted the vulnerability of the disabled woman who had an important vehicle stolen from her.

The court also heard Creighton junior was a “habitual offender”, was in custody repeatedly and there was need for protection of the community.

Judge Roy Ellis said he accepted the 25-year-old was remorseful, noting an apology to the victim saying he was ashamed and was sorry for taking the vehicle.

The court also heard Creighton junior had been introduced to drugs at an early age and crime was a normal part his life.

He was sentenced to two years and six months jail with a non-parole period of one year and two months.

He’ll be eligible for release on December 12, just 12 days prior to his father who will remain behind bars until at least Christmas Eve.