Bryson Stanley evaded police, failed to report to probation

A man whacked with a $7000 fine claims he was too busy looking after his sister’s mental health to attend the probation and parole office during a 20-month period.

A man whacked with a $7000 fine claims he was too busy looking after his sister’s mental health to attend the probation and parole office during a 20-month period.

Bryson Stanley, 25, pleaded guilty on January 13 in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to breaching a probation order.

The court heard he had been placed on a 20-month probation order in October 2021 for an evasion offence.

He attended the probation office for his initial reporting obligation but failed to return for further reporting and failed to receive visits as directed.

Defence lawyer Pierre Lammersdorf said Stanley was living with his mother and receiving Jobseeker Centrelink payments.

He said his client was looking after his sister, who was suicidal after losing two children, during the probation period and had previously worked delivering and making pizzas.

“He just didn’t give the (probation) orders the priorities that were required,” Mr Lammersdorf said.

He said while Stanley was “pretty much” non-compliant with the probation order, he had kept himself out of trouble and not reoffended.

Mr Lammersdorf explained the probation order was made because one of the original charges was an evasion offence which by law required offenders to either serve 50 days in prison or pay the equivalent of about $7000.

Magistrate Grace Kahlert said the original offending, which also included possession of drugs and utensils, involved police attempting to intercept Stanley driving.

She said Stanley originally slowed down, giving the impression he was going to stop, but when police moved in place and slowed down, Stanley sped off.

Ms Kahlert said Stanley was “young and stupid” at the time.

She said probation officers did visit Stanley and tell him to report to them at their office, but he did not comply.

Ms Kahlert resentenced Stanley, ordering him to pay a $7187.50 fine. He was not further punished for his other offences.

Stanley had also been on a suspended sentence and a Good Behaviour Order.

Ms Kahlert ordered the suspended sentence of one month have an extension of one month of its operational period and ordered Stanley to pay the $450 recognisance for breaching the Good Behaviour Order.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Bryson Stanley evaded police, failed to report to probation