Business owner kicked at police after hooning towards Tin Can Bay officers

A business owner has been fined $2000 after refusing breath tests and kicking police officers during a dramatic late-night arrest in Tin Can Bay.

Torique Dylan Faraj has wound up in court after refusing to give a breath test before “kicking out at police”, the court heard.

A business owner with a history of refusing roadside breath tests spent a night in the Gympie watchhouse after hooning towards police and kicking at them.

Cooloola Earthworks owner Torique Dylan Faraj, 27, appeared at Gympie Magistrates Court on Monday after a late night run-in with Tin Can Bay police, “revving excessively” to the scene of a midnight disturbance on Emperor Street on October 27.

Police prosecutor Mel Campbell said Faraj, who was “known to police”, revved down the street before pulling his Mitsubishi ute into a compound after police were called to the scene over a disturbance.

Torique Dylan Faraj is the owner of Cooloola Earthworks, an earthmoving business. Picture: Facebook

When he was asked to submit to a breath test, Faraj refused and “grabbed on to the bullbar” of his vehicle, “pushing his feet to prevent police leaning him forward”.

He then “began twisting his body” as he was led to the police car and “sat down” on the ground, forcing the police to lift him.

Sergeant Campbell said Faraj continued to “kick out” at the officers “in an aggressive manner”, not allowing them to close the car door.

Four of his “associates were yelling and abusing the officers” throughout the incident, she told the court.

Faraj was then driven to the watch house where he was again informed of his roadside requirements.

He refused to take a blood test at the watchouse, the court heard.

Faraj pleaded guilty to failing to provide a blood test and a breath test, and obstructing a police officer.

Police prosecutor Mel Campbell (left) said a message had to be sent to both Faraj and the community to reflect the seriousness of intoxicated driving, as the Wide Bay road toll continues to climb. Picture: Finn Rice Coleman

Sgt Campbell said it was important to “send a message” to the community about the seriousness of intoxicated driving in light of increased efforts to crack down on the notorious road toll of the region.

The amount of alcohol in his blood during the incident was “unknown” as Faraj refused both tests, the court heard.

It heard he had a criminal history, including a previous failure to provide in 2020.

Lawyer Sarah Churches-Kennedy said Faraj had not been formally diagnosed but “believes he suffers from depression and anxiety” and was using alcohol as a “coping mechanism”.

Faraj was supported in court by his wife.

“It gives me no pleasure in sentencing you today,” magistrate Bevan Hughes said.

“You’ve stepped up and taken (the sentencing) like a man today.

“It would have been so much easier if you had done that (then).

“Being a family man, I would have thought you would be very acutely mindful of the need for our roads to be safe.”

Faraj was fined $2000 and disqualified from driving for 13 months, with convictions recorded.

Originally published as Business owner kicked at police after hooning towards Tin Can Bay officers