Caleb James Benson in Maroochydore court for assault, dangerous operation

A teenager has been given more jail time after driving dangerously to chase a woman before attacking a stranger who tried to intervene.

A Morayfield teenager will spend more time behind bars after he chased a woman in his car and then attacked a stranger who tried to intervene.

Caleb James Benson, 19, was given 15 months’ prison with a parole release date of July 28 in Maroochydore District Court on June 9, 2022.

Prosecutor James Allen said an incident had occurred between Benson and a woman that caused her to run down Station Rd in Burpengary.

Benson got into his car and pulled away at speed before driving down Station Rd and cutting across into oncoming traffic.

He pulled onto the verge directly in front of another car and then slammed on the brakes causing the tyres to screech.

A witness who was coming to the aid of the female running away was then targeted by Benson who threatened to kill him.

Caleb James Benson, 19, was given 15 months prison with a parole release date of July 28 in Maroochydore District Court on June 9, 2022.

The court heard Benson also kicked the witness and tried to punch him several times.

Mr Allen said the 19-year-old jumped back in his car, did a U-turn in the middle of the road and drove up onto the gutter where the female victim was.

“She has again tried to walk away, he put the vehicle in reverse almost hitting the victim,” Mr Allen said.

“He yelled at the victim before speeding off.

“He’s driven while people were standing on the street, placed members of the public at risk and it was clearly a volatile situation.”

A short time later, the pair were in the car at traffic lights on Progress Rd when a witness saw the car door open and the female victim starting to get out with her legs hanging out.

Mr Allen told the court when the light turned green, Benson had one arm holding on to the victim and accelerated while the door remained open and her legs were still hanging out.

Eventually she put her legs back in the vehicle and whilst he was driving Benson struck the victim with his left arm.

Defence lawyer Matthew Cooper said his client was a single man who finished school at Year 10 and became involved in the rendering industry.

Mr Cooper said Benson was still young and had spent four months in prison since the incident.

“The injuries were minor and he did leave of his own volition,” Mr Cooper said.

Benson pleaded guilty to dangerous operation, assault occasioning bodily harm, failing to have proper control of vehicle and driving disqualified.

Originally published as Caleb James Benson in Maroochydore court for assault, dangerous operation