Jackson Thomas Hopkins sentenced for hooning in Bowen court
Footage of a social media-organised Fast and the Furious style event, which drew people from across North Queensland, uncovered a young driver’s dangerous acts. Now, he’s been sentenced.
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A young North Queensland ute driver has been told his decision to do a car burn out at a car event while a crowd stood metres away was “almost incomprehensible”.
Bowen Magistrates Court heard Jackson Thomas Hopkins, 22, drove to Townsville from Bowen on September 29, to participate in the meet up advertised on social media.
The event took place on a busy Townsville road which also happened to be the main access to the city’s port.
Prosecutor Sergeant Linden Pollard told Bowen Magistrates court Hopkins had been caught on Transport and Main Roads CCTV as he initiated a car burnout between September 29 and October 1.
Sgt Bollard told the court Hopkins had made multiple spins with his ute, going clockwise and then anti clockwise, to the extent that his vehicle lost traction, while more than 250 people were present at the event.
Sgt Pollard said Hopkins was getting his arms out of the window, while “smoke filled the air” and “orange sparks” were coming out of his tyres, which meant the burnout had been extensive.
“It takes nothing for that vehicle to go sideways and hurt someone,” Sgt Pollard concluded adding the most concerning part of his behaviour had been to do the burnout when so many people stood metres away.
ATSILS solicitor Maria Christian told the court Hopkins was still a young man and “peer pressure” could explain why he acted in this way.
Ms Christian told the court Hopkins had no similar offences on his traffic record.
Magistrate Michelle Howard told Hopkins his behaviour had been “extremely dangerous” but admitted it seemed to be an aberration of his behaviour.
“It’s almost incomprehensible it seems to me,” Ms Howard said.
“It should be so obvious the risk to others and yourself.
“Clearly it could have gone wrong at any moment.”
Hopkins pleaded guilty to driving dangerously and participating in a burn out offence.
He was fined $2000 and his licence was disqualified for six months.
Convictions were recorded.
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Originally published as Jackson Thomas Hopkins sentenced for hooning in Bowen court
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