Merbein meth head injured while trying to evade police after drug- fuelled crime spree

A Merbein boilermaker, hooked on meth, fell from a roof while attempting to avoid police after a drug-fuelled crime spree, breaking his arm and eye socket.

A Merbein boilermaker has been sentenced to eighteen months behind bars after a crime spree that saw him drive a stolen car directly at a police car. Picture: Generic

A boilermaker from Merbein broke his arm and his eye socket in a futile attempt to evade police.

Jack Gardner, 29, pleaded guilty in Koori Court at Mildura Magistrates Court on Wednesday to several charges, including dangerous driving, car theft, and drug possession.

The court heard that on April 27, police went to a San Mateo Ave address in Mildura where Gardner was found.

He attempted to escape by jumping several fences in the area, before injuring himself when he fell from a roof.

In early March, Gardner stole a Ford Courier, abandoning it in the car park of the Gateway Hotel in Mildura.

Days later, Gardner and a co-accused stole a white Toyota Fortuner, believed to have been used in two burglaries in Dareton, NSW.

Gardner was behind the wheel of the stolen Fortuner when it was tracked doing 180 km/h by Toyota Live Tracker.

He drove the stolen vehicle directly at two police cars, requiring officers to take evasive actions to avoid being hit.

The car was later found abandoned, rammed into a tree.

The court heard Gardner was in the grips of a severe meth addiction when the crime spree occurred.

Gardner’s lawyer explained that his offences were committed during a particularly severe methylamphetamine addiction.

“In his words, Your Honour, he found the substance instantly addictive, and that was it,” his lawyer said.

A Victim Impact Statement from the owner of one of the stolen cars was read aloud in court:

“I used to feel safe walking to my friend’s house that is just around the corner. I haven’t been there since my car was stolen,” the statement read.

Gardner told the court of his shame at his offending and apologised to his victims.

“I am deeply remorseful for all of my offending, really,” Gardner said.

“I’d like to apologise to the victims of my offending who are here in court and those who aren’t in court.”

Police prosecutor Kristen Simm addressed Gardner before his sentence was handed down.

“I have lost count of the amount of times I have made this exact submission in this court,” Ms Simm said.

“There is a cost of living crisis. People are struggling to pay their mortgages, pay their rent. Parents are going without food so their kids can play basketball or go to dance, and that is before they get their car stolen and then they can’t get to work.”

The Toyota Fortuner Gardner and his co-accused stole was found rammed into a tree in Nangiloc. Picture: Generic

First Nations Elder Kathy Potter, presiding at the hearing, admonished Gardner for his behaviour.

“Your offending is disgusting. Drugs are killing our Mob, not just our Mob – everybody. Think about your kids,” Ms Potter said.

Magistrate Rose Falla delivered a stern reality check to Gardner as she handed down his sentence.

“Unchecked, you will kill someone,” Ms Falla said.

Gardner received an 18-month sentence with a non-parole period of nine months, a $1000 fine, and a two-year suspension of his licence.

“Once you have finished your sentence … you need to decide what kind of a man you want to be,” Ms Falla concluded.