Riley Jae Thompson, 18, fined thousands after brazen escape on Gold Coast streets

A Nerang teenager busted doing a burnout in his Ford crossed to the wrong side of the road and ran a red light to dodge police before he was caught drug driving less than a fortnight later.

A NERANG teenager busted doing a burnout in his Ford took off at high speed, crossed to the wrong side of the road and ran a red light to dodge police.

Riley Jae Thompson, 18, did manage to escape arrest on the day.

But the long arm of the law caught up with Thompson two days later, a court was told.

Riley Jae Thompson, 18, of Nerang outside Southport Courthouse. Picture: Luke Mortimer

Less than a fortnight after his brazen escape from police, Thompson was caught driving with the drug ice (methamphetamines) in his system.

Thompson faced Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday, pleading guilty to evasion on March 27 at Surfers Paradise and drug driving on April 8.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing drug utensils and failing to give a statutory declaration.

Summing up submissions by prosecutor Sergeant Reece Foort and defence lawyer Ross Oden, Magistrate Mark Howden said the evasion offence was “by far the most serious”.

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Riley Jae Thompson, 18, of Nerang covers his face outside Southport Courthouse. Picture: Luke Mortimer

He said police switched on lights and sirens to pull Thompson over after he was caught doing a burnout in a white 2003 model Ford with false number plates.

“You quickly changed lanes, you ran through a red light,” Mr Howden said.

“You were speeding, you were on the wrong side of the road, you crossed double lines.

“That is a serious offence. Your driving on that occasion was very serious.”

Mr Howden said Thompson was sentenced for not having proper control of a vehicle weeks before the evasion, and sentenced for careless driving weeks after the offence.

“So at 18 you are very, very quickly building up a significant traffic history,” he said.

Thompson, who planned to take up work as an apprentice mechanic, had no prior history of drug driving or drug offences.

Mr Howden said Thompson completed a QTOP (Queensland Traffic Offenders Program) course and was of a young age.

“But I think a strong message needs to be sent to you that you just cannot drive in this manner when told to stop by police,” he said.

Thompson was fined $6527.50 and his licence was disqualified for two years and one month.

Mr Howden only recorded a conviction for the drug driving offence.

Thompson declined to comment and covered his face outside Southport Courthouse.