A recidivist car and property thief was taking up to a gram of meth a day

The fate of a prolific car thief who robbed multiple businesses and the home of a serving Australian Defence Force member while in a “drug haze” has been decided.

A PROLIFIC car thief who robbed multiple businesses and the home of a serving Australian Defence Force member while in a “drug haze” has been locked up.

Jack Noel Spark, 22, will be behind bars until mid 2022, after he was sentenced to three years jail by a Townsville magistrate.

Spark’s most recent offending in his lengthy criminal history began in April 2020 with a high-speed police chase along Ross River Rd, where he was seen overtaking cars on the left and even driving along a bike lane in a stolen car.

Jack Noel Spark will not be able to apply for parole until January, but may not be released for up to five or six months after due to delays in parole board applications.

At the time, Spark had been disqualified from driving and was on parole, with the rest of his offending occurring while on bail.

Spark broke into the home of an ADF member in mid to late December, where he and a co-offender stole military clothing, suitcases with documents, watches and two cars.

On several dates in late December, Spark broke into multiple businesses, including car dealerships, two cafes, a post office, four holiday and caravan parks, and a tool shop.

Property stolen from the businesses included money, cash registers, tools, and cars.

In one of the robberies, Spark and a co-offender broke into a guest’s room while they were sleeping before stealing wallets and two cars.

After stealing a cash register, and a cleaner’s handbag and car from the Walkabout Palms park on January 7, Spark drove erratically through Townsville and was only stopped after police deflated his tyres.

He was tracked down by a police dog and found with the stolen property and 1.35g meth.

Lawyer Troydon Maltby said his client had been in the throes of a meth addiction, and at the time of offending had been using up to a gram of meth a day and had trouble remembering his offences.

“He said he was given every benefit in his youth, and only blames himself for his poor choices,” Mr Maltby said.

Spark was given a head sentence of three years, with a parole eligibility date of January

7, 2022.

With prisoners facing parole application delays of up to five months, it is possible Spark will spend a total of 18 months in custody, having already served 253 days inside.

He will be off the road for at least two-and-a-half years.

Originally published as A recidivist car and property thief was taking up to a gram of meth a day