Brandan Shane Shorten drove dangerously from Beerwah to Forest Glen
A 27-year-old Brisbane man sped up to 145km/h, drove on the wrong side of the road and evaded police along Sunshine Coast roads while under the influence of amphetamines.
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A 27-year-old Manly West man fuelled by amphetamines caused havoc on Sunshine Coast roads after he evaded police following a disagreement with a woman over a mobile phone.
Brandan Shane Shorten received jail after pleading guilty to driving dangerously on drugs from Beerwah to Forest Glen on August 28, 2021.
The 27-year-old father had been on amphetamines when he was seen by police driving erratically through Landsborough, Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard.
Police prosecutor Lee Allen told the court Shorten reached speeds of up to 145 km/h along Steve Irwin Way with cars around him having to take evasive action to avoid colliding with his car.
Senior Constable Allen said over a 30km drive Shorten overtook cars on double lines, failed to stop at give way and stop signs, swerved and travelled on the wrong side of the road.
The court heard police had abandoned their pursuit at one point before the incident finally ended in Forest Glen when Shorten fled the car on foot after driving into a dead-end street before he was captured by police.
Senior Constable Allen said Shorten also evaded police on August 17, 2021 in Golden Beach and broke the speed limit by 50km/h in built in areas around a nursing home.
Defence lawyer Michael Robinson said Shorten had been battling bouts of ice addiction through his life.
Magistrate Maxine Baldwin asked Shorten how his female passenger would’ve felt while she was in his car during the “crazy” drive.
Via videolink, Shorten told the court he had an argument over a mobile phone with the woman prior to driving away on August 28.
Shorten pleaded guilty to two counts of evasion, obstructing police, unlawful use of a car, receiving tainted property, possessing drugs and dangerous operation of a vehicle while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance.
He was given a head sentence 12 months’ jail but was given a parole release date of June 15, 2022.
Shorten was also disqualified for three years, with convictions recorded.
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Originally published as Brandan Shane Shorten drove dangerously from Beerwah to Forest Glen
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