Ingham court: Jaxon Woods guilty of obstruct police on suspended jail sentence

A North Queensland roofer on both parole and a suspended jail sentence has escaped prison for obstructing police by the narrowest of margins.

Jaxon Benjamin Woods outside the Ingham Magistrates Court. Picture: Cameron Bates

A North Queensland man on parole as well as on a suspended jail sentence escaped incarceration for an ugly incident involving police because he had been able to hold down a job as an apprentice roofer.

Jaxon Benjamin Woods, 22, wearing his branded company shirt to the Ingham Magistrates Court, pleaded guilty to the sole charge of obstructing a police officer in the performance of his duties in Ingham on November 15, 2024.

Queensland Police Service prosecutor Danny Burke presented the court with Woods’ five-page criminal history before outlining the facts of the case.

He said Ingham Police were called to an address at 4.09am following a complaint Woods was drunk, abusive and “breaking property at the dwelling”.

“The defendant immediately runs away from police into the upstairs area of the house, locks the door behind him, leaves the police … locked out,” he said.

“After a short while the defendant returns to the door and opens the door, obstructing police from entering the dwelling by standing in the doorway, refusing to move.”

Jaxon Benjamin Woods outside the Ingham Magistrates Court. Picture: Cameron Bates

Mr Burke said Woods, who was grossly intoxicated and later provided a breath-content reading of 0.242 per cent, was provided with multiple opportunities to cooperate with police but he became argumentative.

“He continues to argue with police, squares up by rolling his shoulders forward, raising his arms by his side, calls the police ‘disgusting’.”

He said the incident lasted about 10 minutes before he was arrested.

“What’s ultimately concerning here today is that Mr Woods comes before the court with a five-page history, an extremely relevant history,” he said.

“In 2023, in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court, he was sentenced to a period of imprisonment, which was suspended, for two serious assaults of police.”

Mr Burke said the operational period of the suspended jail sentence was extended in June 2024 (when) he was sentenced to a further period of imprisonment for obstructing police and committing public nuisance.

“He’s on parole and this will also breach that suspended sentence from September 16, 2024, for that wilful damage and commit public nuisance.”

Mr Burke urged a sentence of actual imprisonment, even with an immediate parole eligibility date.

After questioning from Magistrate Cathy McLennan, Corrective Services confirmed that it was not breaching Woods on his parole violation, saying he was complying with the order in a “satisfactory” manner but had not engaged in any programs to address his alcohol use.

Jaxon Benjamin Woods outside the Ingham Magistrates Court. Picture: Cameron Bates

Defence Lawyer Brendan Marr said he client, who had an infant child in Hervey Bay, had an excellent work reference but “alcohol and him do not mix well”.

“He has set about recognising and having some insight into the impact of alcohol in regard to his behaviours on those occasions.”

Magistrate McLennan said Woods was still young and was a valued employee at the respected roofing business.

“I think if you stick with that company then you’ve got a chance at a good life and supporting your son as he grows but the reality is that you need to do some drug and alcohol programs, and you need to do some counselling,” she said.

“That’s hard and it requires courage.”

Woods was convicted, fined $1000 and extended the operating period of the suspended prison sentence.

Originally published as Ingham court: Jaxon Woods guilty of obstruct police on suspended jail sentence