Brooklyn David Fullerton sentenced in Ipswich court for dangerous operation of a vehicle

An Ipswich magistrate has told a 22-year-old man that “no one cares” about his “suboptimal” upbringing as it is no excuse for his criminal behaviour.

An Ipswich magistrate has told a young criminal his difficult childhood is no excuse for his crimes, and the “hard, cold reality” he has to face is that “no one cares”.

Brooklyn David Fullerton, 22, appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Friday July 1 via video-link from custody, where he pleaded guilty to 15 offences including dangerous operation of a vehicle and entering a premises to commit an indictable offence by break.

The court heard the Regents Park man was in the throes of an ice binge when he made his way down south in a stolen vehicle.

Fullerton was said to have stolen the vehicle in Mackay, driven it to Tweed Heads with “some incidents” along the way, and he was arrested after crossing the Queensland border for evasion, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and dangerous driving.

Defence lawyer Michael Kelly said his client was 21 years old and addicted to ice when he offended, but he had steered clear of drugs since entering custody about two years ago.

Fullerton was also said to suffer anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder, for which he was now medicated.

Mr Kelly said the 22-year-old had a difficult upbringing, having lost his father to liver failure at 12, damaged relationships with several of his siblings, and left school in Year 9.

The court heard his associations with particular children sent him down a “poor road”, but he now had prospects for rehabilitation.

Brooklyn David Fullerton, 22.

Acting Magistrate Paul Byrne asked the young man how he was finding prison, noting it looked like he could be “knocked over by a stiff breeze”.

He noted that while the young man had a “very suboptimal” upbringing, and it was clear he had “fallen by the wayside”, he had to know that “no one cares” about the reasons for his criminal behaviour.

“The true, hard, cold reality you have to face up to is you won’t find someone who cares,” Mr Byrne said.

“If you do, you’re the best searcher in the world.”

Mr Byrne said he had taken into consideration that Fullerton had employment prospects and that he intended to keep out of Mackay and stay on his medication.

He told the young man that ice, being as dangerous and addictive as it is, would wreck his life and “ruin everything” including his face, teeth, body, and brain.

The young man was sentenced to a total of 12 months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for 18 months after serving 130 days, and was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for two years, two years, and 18 months for three of the driving offences.

Mr Byrne declared 130 days he spent in custody time already served under the sentence.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Brooklyn David Fullerton sentenced in Ipswich court for dangerous operation of a vehicle