Cody Gibbins gets suspended jail term for disqualified driving

A young Central Queensland father-to-be busted defying a driving ban told police he’d “rather go to f***ing jail” and an acting magistrate said: “Well he might get his wish.”

Cody Wayne Gibbins, 20, was given a suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to disqualified driving. Generic image.

A young Central Queensland father-to-be with an “appalling” driving record has been blasted for his continual defiance of the law.

Cody Wayne Gibbins, 20, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to disqualified driving.

The court heard that Gibbins was busted driving on Dalton Street, Clinton, on February 14 and the concerning part for him was his six-page traffic history.

It was told Gibbins had previously been dealt with in court for unlicensed driving, disqualified driving, careless driving, drink driving and drug driving.

When that history was read to the court by police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins, Acting Magistrate Nigel Rees immediately responded: “He (Gibbins) just doesn’t seem to care does he?”

Sgt Hoskins replied: “No, because when he was intercepted on Valentine’s Day, when spoken to by police, the car was unregistered, he was belligerent with police.”

The prosecutor said Gibbins told police at the scene: “I’m already suspended for two years, what’s another six months? I’d rather go to f***ing jail anyway.”

Mr Rees then said: “Well he might get his wish.”

Sgt Hoskins submitted a one-month term of imprisonment be imposed, suspended for 18 months to two years, along with the mandatory two years’ driver licence disqualification.

Gladstone Courthouse.

Solicitor Cassandra Ditchfield said Gibbins was currently in a relationship with a child “on the way”.

“At the time of this offending, however, that relationship had temporarily broken down,” Ms Ditchfield said.

“The day of this (offence) occurring, the mother of the unborn child was essentially having an emotional breakdown - they’d literally only separated in the days prior.

“He drove to sort things out with her.”

Ms Ditchfield said Gibbins had since sold his car so there was no temptation to drive.

She submitted for a two-to-three-month period of imprisonment with immediate parole release.

Acting Magistrate Rees referred to Gibbins’ previous offending and said his traffic history was “appalling.”

Mr Rees sentenced Gibbins to three months’ jail, wholly suspended for an operational period of nine months.

Gibbins was also disqualified from driving for two years.

Mr Rees told Gibbins that during the operational period, he could not commit an offence punishable by imprisonment.

“You commit a traffic offence like you have, guess where you’re going?” Mr Rees asked.

Gibbins replied: “Rockhampton correctional centre” and Mr Rees said: “You got it in one.”

Originally published as Cody Gibbins gets suspended jail term for disqualified driving