One woman was caught on CCTV driving away without paying for her fuel

Drink or disqualified drivers and a woman who drove off without paying for fuel all made the Townsville Magistrates Court list this week. Read on to find out what happened

DRINK or disqualified drivers and a woman who drove off without paying for fuel all made the Townsville Magistrates Court list this week. Read on to find out what happened.

Jessica Hogben:

Hogben was caught on CCTV at a Townsville petrol station driving off without paying.

In Townsville Magistrates Court on Friday, she pleaded guilty to unauthorised dealing with shop goods of a maximum $150.

Hogben had filled her tank with 14 litres of fuel totalling at $20.01 at the United service station in West End on the afternoon of October 8.

Police prosecutor Sophie Roseby told the court Hogben, who has no criminal history, then drove away without paying.

Ms Roseby said when police questioned Hogben about the incident, she gave no reason as to why she drove off.

Police offered for Hogben to pay the business back, but Ms Roseby said Hogben had “failed” to follow through.

Hogben’s lawyer said Hogben had instructed them that she had contacted the service station three times but had refused her.

Magistrate Maxine Baldwin told Hogben if she didn’t have money for petrol she could not drive.

Hogben was placed on a $400 six month good behaviour bond, and ordered to pay the $20.01 within one day.

Juayro Benjin Uiduldam:

Uiduldam was caught driving twice the legal limit on Palm Drive, Deeragun in the morning of November 20.

Police saw Uiduldam had no L-plates on his car, despite being a learner driver.

He told police he had drunk six beers through the night.

Duty lawyer Luay Allawy told the court the 22-year-old’s actions fell on the lower end of offending, and there had not been anything adverse about his driving.

Magistrate Maxine Baldwin took into account Uiduldam’s clean criminal history, calling the indecent an “aberration” of character.

She warned Uiduldam of the dangers of drink driving, before fining him $800 and disqualifying him from driving for five months.

Brodie Justin Fittler:

Fittler was brought to Townsville Magistrates Court on a charge of driving without a licence – disqualified by court order.

After he was spotted driving just after 9am on November 23 he told police his wife was pregnant and he was heading to Douglas to see her and then to Cash Converters.

Fittler’s lawyer said the 22-year-old was expecting the birth of his first child in May next year and acknowledged his history was an aggravating feature.

Magistrate Maxine Baldwin said Fittler should have known he was disqualified.

“You were already charged with disqualified driving two times,” Ms Baldwin said.

“I don’t think a monetary penalty is appropriate because ‘A’, you’re on the dole and you have to pay for a baby, and ‘B’ it’s not a deterrent to you.”

Fittler was disqualified from driving for two-and-a-half years and sentenced to a one month jail term, suspended for two years.

Andrew Vincent Brunello:

Brunello was told he was lucky to be alive and in court after a big night of drinking ended in him rolling his ute.

The 18-year-old pleaded guilty in Townsville Magistrates Court to driving over the general alcohol limit while on a provisional licence.

The court heard Brunello had been driving north at 1am near Mission Beach when he lost control of his ute, rolling and coming to a stop upright on the side of the road.

After Brunello told police he’d drunk 10 XXXX beers that evening, he recorded a blood-alcohol content of .099.

Brunello’s lawyer told the court he was an apprentice carpenter, and said when Brunello had tried to brake on the road the car had slid on the wet tarmac before he over corrected and rolled.

They said he made the unfortunate decision to get in the car after drinking.

Magistrate Steven Mosch acknowledged Brunello’s lack of criminal history, but said it was a “simple concept” that he should not drive after drinking while on a P licence.

“Without sounding half-smart, I congratulate you on still being alive and coming to court today,” Mr Mosch said.

Brunello was fined $750 and disqualified from driving for five months.

A traffic conviction was recorded.

Originally published as One woman was caught on CCTV driving away without paying for her fuel