Jayden Peter Sheehy jailed for carjacking at McDonalds Park Avenue

Meth user crashes two stolen cars due to dangerous driving behaviour during 2.5 month crime spree starting with a fortnight of being released on parole.

A methamphetamine user carried out a horrifying car jacking in a McDonalds carpark, only to back the stolen car into a pole and then crash it when running a red light, a court heard.

He went on to steal another car and crash it – also running into another vehicle while driving dangerously, Rockhampton District Court heard on December 2.

Crown prosecutor Tessa Walmsley said Jayden Peter Sheehy, 24, opened the door of a car at 12.35am on November 25, 2023 while it was parked at the McDonalds at Stockland Rockhampton.

“The defendant told the (25-year-old) driver he had a gun and held a knife near the driver’s body,” Ms Walmsley said.

“After asking for money, which the driver declined, the defendant yelled at him and punched him in the ribs and face.

“The defendant, not being able to enter the car, threw a large rock at the window, causing it to smash.

“He subsequently gained entry to the car and the complainant exited.

Stockland Rockhampton Shopping centre Photo: Chris Ison / The Morning Bulletin

“The defendant took off in the vehicle… reversed into a pole, ran through a roundabout and a red light and collided with another car.

“The car was damaged and the other vehicle had a passenger who suffered minor injuries.”

She said Sheehy fled the crash then called emergency services, telling them “he just fled in a stolen car, but lied saying ‘I wasn’t the one driving c***.’”

Two days later, Sheehy and two other men entered a Berserker residence and were busted by two occupant attempting to put an electric scooter into a car that belonged to one of the occupants.

The two unknown men fled while Sheehy stayed and punched one of the occupants two or three times in the head and face, then dragged the man to the ground.

Sheehy then scratched the other occupant, resulting in a cut.

The defendant got into the occupant’s vehicle, drove off and used one of their credit cards at a petrol station three times.

”(He drove) “erratically, overtaking cars dangerously, then crossing into oncoming traffic,“ Ms Walmsley said.

Sheehy rear-ended another vehicle in the stolen car on the corner of Fitzroy and Bolsover Street near City Centre Plaza then fled that crash, running from police and embarked on a foot chase.

City Centre Plaza, South Rockhampton

Police did ultimately catch him and took him into custody.

Prior to the McDonalds Stockland car jacking incident, Sheehy had gone on a stealing spree between September 16, 2023 to November 12, 2023.

He stole $3700 of goods from stores in Stockland Rockhampton.

Sheehy also entered a locked car outside My Car Tyre and Auto on High Street leaving his blood, and a Berserker home leaving his fingerprints – on separate dates and rummaged through both.

Ms Walmsley said Sheehy was identified as the offender in the crimes via CCTV footage, fingerprints and DNA.

Sheehy had previously been sentenced in Bundaberg District Court in April 2020 for armed robbery in company.

He had been before the Maroochydore Magistrates Court less than two weeks prior the first offence, was sentenced to three years prison and was released immediately on parole having already served nine months – he was on parole at the time he committed these offences.

Defence barrister Jordan Ahlstrand said his client, whose father died from cancer years ago, had issues with illicit drugs, particularly methamphetamines.

He said Sheehy had been diagnosed with depression.

Sheehy pleaded guilty to one count each of armed robbery with personal violence, robbery with personal violence, enter premises with intent, enter dwelling and commit, enter dwelling with intent, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, three counts of fraud, one unlawful use of a motor vehicle at night, two of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and six of stealing.

Judge Jeff Clarke sentenced him to four years prison to commence after he serves out the sentence handed to him in the Maroochydore court.

He declared 371 days presentence custody as time served and set parole eligibility on February 12, 2026.

Originally published as Jayden Peter Sheehy jailed for carjacking at McDonalds Park Avenue