Jackson Tyler Lawrence pleads guilty to unlawful use of a motor vehicle in Maroochydore

A Brisbane crim with an “extraordinarily long” record at just 22 has been warned his jail sentences will also get “longer and longer” after he was busted in a stolen car on the Sunshine Coast.

Jackson Tyler Lawrence (not pictured) faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court this week by video from prison. Picture: Patrick Woods

A Fortitude Valley man must serve at least a third of his jail sentence for driving a stolen car and possessing stolen property.

The lengthy criminal history of Jackson Tyler Lawrence, 22, was read to Maroochydore Magistrates Court this week following his latest batch of offending which led to him being arrested after a joy ride in a stolen car on the Sunshine Coast.

Magistrate Chris Callaghan told Lawrence his jail sentences would get “longer and longer” if he did not get the message.

The court heard the Lawrence was busted driving in a stolen car without a licence along Duporth Ave in Maroochydore on January 28.

Lawrence was then found in possession of a stolen motorcycle helmet, keys, a saddlebag and false number plates.

During a failed bail application in March, police earlier claimed that when officers went to Lawrence’s dad’s home to speak to him, he refused to answer the door, locked himself in an apartment and hid in a bedroom.

Following his arrest, he was remanded in custody and spent 93 days on remand up until his sentence this week where he pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing tainted property and one of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and driving unlicensed.

Additional charges of receiving tainted property and stealing were dropped.

Police prosecutor Brendan Newman said Lawrence had a history surrounding unlawful use of a motor vehicle and pushed for him to serve more jail time for his recidivism.

Jackson Tyler Lawrence. Picture: Facebook

Defence solicitor Michael Robinson in contrast pushed for the Fortitude Valley man’s release onto parole due to the time already served behind bars.

Mr Robinson said even though Lawrence was partly estranged from his mother, he wanted to be able to see her before she moved overseas for an indefinite period.

The lawyer also claimed his client’s great uncle had cancer and he wanted to spend time with him.

In sentencing Lawrence, Mr Callaghan read to the court his “extraordinary long” criminal history which involved assaults, burglaries, attempted robbery and more.

“You keep committing offences … it’s hoped that you’re starting to get some maturity and insight … you have not shown that so far,” the magistrate told Lawrence, who appeared in court by video.

“You’ve got to be deterred from continuing to do this and so your sentences of imprisonment are going to only get longer and longer.

“If you want to spend your life in jail, well commit offences when you get out and you’ll go back to jail.”

Despite Mr Robinson arguing for Lawrence to be released on the day of sentencing, Mr Callaghan believed due to his history he needed to serve at least a third of his jail sentence.

Lawrence was jailed for 18 months but will be released onto parole on July 27 after serving six months behind bars.

Originally published as Jackson Tyler Lawrence pleads guilty to unlawful use of a motor vehicle in Maroochydore