Richard John Wortley: Former footy player jailed for string of crimes

A former Ipswich and Toowoomba A-grade footy player is back behind bars after a spate of offences committed just days after he was released from jail, including dangerous driving and illegally possessing a loaded firearm.

A man who fled the scene of a crash in front of police just days after being released from jail, was later busted with stolen car keys and a loaded handgun.

Richard John Wortley was sentenced to a year in jail after pleading guilty to carrying out a spate of crime last year.

The charges included dangerous driving, failing to remain at the scene of a crash, unlawful use of a vehicle and possessing a category H weapon.

The 29-year-old’s offending started just days after being released from jail for other offences.

Police prosecutor Barry Stevens told the court police watched Wortley perform a U-turn after a minor crash, before fleeing the scene and driving on the wrong side of the road.

Sgt Stevens said when spoken to later about the offence, Wortley said he “panicked due to being unlicensed”.

The remaining offences related to a search warrant in Nanango in November, where police found Wortley in possession of a handgun, .22 ammunition and the keys to a car that had been reported stolen.

Defence lawyer Leanne McIntosh told the court her client had been raised in Roma and played A-grade rugby league for both Ipswich and Toowoomba.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair sentenced Wortley to 12 months’ jail, and lashed him for his near-immediate return to crime his earlier release.

“Guns have no place in the possession of someone who is not licensed,” Mr Sinclair said.

“They’re deadly and terrifying, particularly in the possession of someone who is subject to a drug addiction.”

Wortley’s parole release date was set at one third of his sentence and he is expected to be released in March.

Originally published as Richard John Wortley: Former footy player jailed for string of crimes