Caleb Hayden Hearn sentenced in Dalby Magistrates Court after wild Western Downs crime spree

A man who has spent most of his adult life behind bars was before a court once again after his reckless crime bender across the Western Downs came to a halt. Here’s everything that happened.

Caleb Hayden Hearn Picture: Facebook

A serial offender with an eight-page criminal history was before a court for a crime spree across the region which consisted of theft, evading police and high-speed driving.

Caleb Hayden Hearn appeared in Dalby Magistrates Court on December 12 via videolink, after he was arrested at the end of committing a string of dangerous vehicle-related offences.

Police prosecutor Derek Brady said the spree kicked off in Miles on September 25 after the 22-year-old approached a grey Volkswagen that was parked while inside the Queensland Hotel.

The court was told the car’s owner had left the vehicle unlocked with the keys in the ignition.

“(Hearn) jumped in the driver’s seat when the victim exited the hotel and walked back to their vehicle,” Sergeant Brady said.

“The victim attempted to open the driver’s side door and observed Hearn in the driver’s seat.

“The owner of the vehicle jumped back as Hearn drove off with pace, and as a result left black skid marks on the road.”

Sergeant Brady said over the course of a week the man stole fuel from three service stations in Chinchilla and Kingaroy, was caught speeding by police at 178km/h in a 100km/h zone in the originally stolen vehicle, and drove off from authorities who had attempted to intercept the man with lights and sirens activated.

The court was also told throughout the duration of the offences, Hearn did not hold a driver’s licence.

Defence lawyer Paige Hetherington said her client, who had completed parole a month prior to committing the fresh offences, experienced a “prejudicial” upbringing in Toowoomba after losing both parents at 14.

“He doesn’t have much of a working history as he’s spent a lot of time in custody,” she said.

She also added the man had one child with a current partner.

Acting magistrate Andrew Walker acknowledged the man’s lengthy criminal history and noted he had been sentenced to periods of imprisonment from an early age.

“You’ve spent a lot of your adult life in custody which is unfortunate,” he said.

“I think some sort of a sentence that allows you to spend as much time in the community as possible will be beneficial to you.”

Hearn pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a motor vehicle, evasion, failing to stop at a stop sign, six counts of disqualified driving, three counts of fraud and one count of speeding.

Mr Walker declared the 55 days the man had spent in pre-sentence custody as time served.

He was sentenced to 15 months’ jail, with a parole release date of February 18, 2024 and was disqualified from driving for two years.

“You’re too young to be going to jail over and over again, try and sort yourself out this time please,” Mr Walker said.

Originally published as Caleb Hayden Hearn sentenced in Dalby Magistrates Court after wild Western Downs crime spree