Ranger Nathan Baira fined more than $9k after evading police
A man working as a ranger in Central Queensland has been hit with a huge amount of fines for his behaviour behind the wheel.
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A Central Queensland ranger who also has community roles has been hit with more than $9000 in fines for driving offences.
Nathan Ryan Robert Paul Baira, 26, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to charges including evasion, obstructing police and two counts of unlicensed driving.
The court heard the first time Baira was busted driving unlicensed was on October 29 last year at Clinton.
Then on December 8 at Rockhampton, he resisted arrest which led to the obstruct charge.
What was concerning for Baira was the second time he was caught unlicensed driving at Gladstone on December 21 - because on that occasion he also evaded police.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said after police activated lights and sirens, Baira had “taken off at speed” in the car he was driving.
The court heard Baira had also committed these offences while on a suspended jail sentence for armed robbery in company.
His criminal history consisted mostly of drug offending and he had a one-page traffic record.
Solicitor Bianca Wieland said Baira, who currently worked as a ranger and had no issues with drugs or alcohol, could be fined for the evasion offence rather than being given jail time.
She said Baira was actively engaged in the indigenous community, helping youths in his role as a cultural mentor, and he was also involved in boxing activities with both youths and adults.
Magistrate Mary Buchanan fined Baira a total of $9165 and disqualified him from driving for two years.
Convictions were recorded and Baira was recommitted to the District Court in relation to the alleged breach of suspended sentence.
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