Benjamin Edward Christensen jailed after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and evading police

A magistrate has sent a welder to prison with some stinging criticism ringing in his ears after a dangerous driving rampage through the Gold Coast hinterland. Here’s what she had to say.

Two police cars were rammed and one flipped during the rampage.

A WELDER who rammed two police cars and caused another to flip in “one of the worst cases of dangerous driving” spent his first night behind bars last night.

Benjamin Edward Christensen’s night of drunken hooning took police on a chase across the Gold Coast hinterland for more than two hours, damaged three police cars and left two officers with minor injuries.

Christensen, 25, pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court to seven charges including dangerous driving, evading police and failing to provide a breath specimen.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Danielle Myers said the police first spotted Christensen in his 4WD about 2am on June 29 in Mudgeeraba.

Christensen refused to stop and police followed.

She said Christensen came to a sudden stop, reversed into a police car hitting the bonnet before driving into bushland off Old Coach Rd.

About an hour later the same car was seen driving into a service station, filling up and taking off without paying.

Benjamin Edward Christensen

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN FOR $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 8 WEEKS. (MIN. COST $4)

Police began to follow the car on Gemvale Dr, through Summerset Dr and onto Bonogin Rd where a roadblock was set up.

“With no headlights he has driven head on into a marked police car,” Sen Const Myers said.

“Police had to take evasion action.”

Sen Const Myers Christensen then went down Old Coach Rd where a third police car was forced to take evasive action to avoid being hit.

The car hit a dirt mound and flipped.

The chase was abandoned.

Police found Christensen walking along the M1 about 5.45am, Sent Const Myers said.

He was given a breath test which recorded a reading of 0.162 per cent.

Magistrate Jane Bentley said Christensen’s driving put police officers and the public at significant risk.

“This is one of the worst dangerous driving cases which has come before me,” she said.

“It’s not only fortunate, it’s actually surprising no one was injured.”

Magistrate Bentley sentenced Christensen to 18 months prison to be released on parole in April next year.

She also suspended him from holding a licence for two years.

Defence lawyer Steve Cavanagh said the night of the dangerous driving Christensen had been drinking with friends, including a designated driver.

He got into a verbal fight, got frustrated and left.

The court was told Christensen, a welder, works at a mechanic business in Nerang.

Mr Cavanagh said Christensen turned to alcohol after his father died three years ago.