Brendan Gaffney pleads guilty to seriously assaulting police at Little Mountain

A last-ditch effort by a cleaner and dad to flee from police has left two officers injured, with one ‘squashed' against a car with a motorcycle.

Brendan Alan Gaffney faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court by video on Tuesday. Picture: Facebook

A chef and part-time cleaner has said a small bag of marijuana was the catalyst for him injuring two police officers with a motorcycle in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

The Maroochydore Magistrates Court was told Brendan Alan Gaffney, 39, was on parole when police intercepted him at a service station at Little Mountain about 6pm on June 7.

Acting Magistrate Janelle Boegheim said when police tried to speak to the Glass House Mountains father, he attempted to flee on his unregistered and uninsured motorcycle.

Ms Boegheim said one officer grabbed Gaffney by the shoulders in an effort to stop him, however the front wheel of the cleaner’s motorcycle lifted and struck one in the chest.

Gaffney pleaded guilty to all charges. Picture: Facebook

The court was told this squashed the officer between the motorbike and parked car. He suffered cuts, abrasions and bruising to his hand, bruising to his chest, leg and a torn thigh muscle.

The other officer was struck with the left peg of the bike which also resulted in cuts and bruising.

Police prosecutor Shane Raison said Gaffney was fortunately restrained by police after the struggle however, in the process the bike damaged an officer’s Taser.

Senior Sergeant Raison conceded the Glass House Mountains man was not trying to use the vehicle as a weapon but rather “panicked” and tried to effect his escape, which failed in the end.

Two officers were hurt during Gaffney’s failed getaway. Picture: Facebook

The court was told Gaffney spent 116 days in custody following his arrest however, this was to finish a previous sentence after he breached his parole for armed robbery.

Gaffney faced court on Tuesday by video from prison where he pleaded guilty to 12 charges including two counts of serious assault police, two of obstructing police and dangerous operation of a vehicle.

Defence lawyer Breanna Bowtell said the part time cleaner was on parole at the time and thought it would be cancelled if he was caught with marijuana.

Ms Boegheim said the 38-year-old may not have even gone to prison if he just accepted he had marijuana on him and did not try to flee police.

Gaffney was jailed for six months and disqualified from driving for 16 months. He was given parole eligibility as of Tuesday.

Originally published as Brendan Gaffney pleads guilty to seriously assaulting police at Little Mountain