Ethan John Pope pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a motor vehicle

An intoxicated driver couldn’t be roused when a police officer busted him passed out behind the wheel of a stolen car, a court has heard.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Sonia Edwards said on November 12, 2024, a police officer saw Pope in a vehicle.

A drunk driver was discovered passed out behind the wheel of a stolen car, a court has heard.

Ethan John Pope, 27, pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a vehicle, driving while intoxicated, driving unlicensed, possession of a knife in a public place and other offences when he faced Maryborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Sonia Edwards said on November 12, 2024, a police officer saw Pope in a vehicle.

She became concerned about Pope’s state as he was unable to be roused when she tried to wake him and the car was locked, Sgt Edwards said.

The car’s engine was still running, and the indicator was on, she said.

Knives were seen in the centre console of the car.

Police smashed the window of the car to gain entry and Pope stirred briefly, Sgt Edwards said, before paramedics were called.

He was transported to hospital where he was found to be severely intoxicated, she said.

Sgt Edwards said the vehicle, a Mazda, had been stolen from the Pier Caravan Park on November 9 and had other number plates on it at the time.

Sgt Edwards said Pope, who appeared in court via videolink, had prior criminal history for unlawful use of a motor vehicle and was on parole at the time for similar offending.

Ethan John Pope, 27, pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a vehicle, driving while intoxicated, driving unlicensed, possession of a knife in a public place and other offences when he faced Maryborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Defence lawyer Michael Riedel said his client had grown up in Logan.

He had experienced domestic violence while growing up, Mr Riedel said.

Pope had worked as a shop assistant, cleaning operations, a trades assistant and doing child minding in the past.

In 2020 he had lost his mother, which had deeply impacted on him, Mr Riedel said, and had led to addiction issues after he turned to meth to cope with the pain.

He had a daughter he had not seen in a number of years, Mr Riedel said.

When he was released, Pope wanted to help with the care of his grandparents and his two younger siblings, the court heard.

Mr Riedel said there was no evidence that Pope stole the vehicle, but he accepted he was using the vehicle knowing it was stolen.

Mr Riedel said he accepted Pope had relevant criminal history for both unlicensed driving and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

He said there had been nothing about Pope’s driving manner” that had attracted the attention of police, as he had been passed out behind the wheel.

Magistrate John Milburn said Pope had been founded slumped over the steering wheel of a car he was unlawfully using in circumstances where he was disqualified from driving.

He said he would declare the 77 days Pope had already spent in custody and take into account the disadvantage he had experienced.

Pope was given a head sentence of 12 months in prison, fined $600 and disqualified him from driving for two years for driving while disqualified and six months for driving under the influence.

Convictions were recorded.

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Originally published as Ethan John Pope pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a motor vehicle