Jayden Hodge: Batemans Bay Domino’s manager drove on suspended licence

A terrible toothache was the cause of a short police chase for a Domino’s manager who drove himself to hospital in the hope of having a tooth pulled out with pliers, despite his licence being suspended.

Domino's manager Jayden Hodge found himself in Batemans Bay court after driving with cannabis in his system and driving with a suspended licence.

A terrible toothache was the cause of a short police chase for a Domino’s manager, who drove himself to the hospital despite his licence being suspended.

A manager at Batemans Bay Domino’s, Jayden Hodge faced the Local Court after previously pleading guilty to driving with a suspended licence and driving with an illicit substance present in blood.

Police facts tendered to the court reveal the 25-year-old lost his licence for six months in May, after he was caught driving with cannabis in his system.

Despite knowing he couldn’t drive, court documents state the pain from the “terrible” toothache caused Hodge to drive to the hospital to seek attention 19 days after the suspension began.

Justifying his reasoning for driving with the suspended licence, Hodge told the court on Monday, the pain was so bad he wanted to “remove the tooth with pliers”.

Batemans Bay Domino's Manager, Jayden Hodge, said the pain in his tooth was so bad, he wanted to rip it out with pliers.

Agreed facts state while Hodge was returning to his North Batemans Bay unit after visiting the hospital, police travelling in the opposite direction turned around and attempted to pull him over on suspicions his licence was suspended.

However, despite being asked to pull over, Hodge continued driving.

“[Hodge] continued travelling north to the intersection of the Kings Hwy making a left turn and travelling west a short distance before making a further left onto Old Punt Rd, travelling a short distance before entering his driveway at speed,” agreed facts state.

Hodge parked his car before jumping out and running away on foot.

“Police gave chase on foot, however [Hodge] disappeared from sight having entered his unit,” agreed facts state.

Later on in the day, police arrived at the unit, where they spoke to Hodge about his earlier driving, where the 25-year-old conceded he was driving with a suspended licence.

“[Hodge] told police he drove to get medical attention for his sore tooth and admitted he had done the wrong thing,” agreed facts state.

In court on Monday, Hodge represented himself and said his decision to drive and run from police was “stupid and silly”.

“I shouldn’t have done it, but I was in so much pain, I literally could not sleep,” he said.

Magistrate Doug Dick said when a licence was suspended, it meant not getting behind the wheel.

“A suspension is there for a reason,” he said.

Hodge was convicted on each charge, fined $800 and had his licence disqualified for a further three months.