‘Trying to live his life’: Alleged street racer Taitai-Mark Jacob denied bail
A young man allegedly involved in a dangerous street race has been denied bail, despite his parents offering to supervise him closely at their Mount Low home.
Townsville
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A young man allegedly involved in a dangerous street race while driving a stolen vehicle has made a bid for bail in Townsville Magistrates Court.
Taitai-Mark Jacob, 21, is currently in police custody charged with 14 offences, including dangerous operation of a vehicle, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, drunk driving, stealing and assaulting a police officer.
Several of those charges come from a single incident, where police allege the young father was involved in a dangerous street race on the Bruce Hwy, driving in excess of 100km/h in Mount Sheridan, Cairns.
Facts submitted by the police to court state Jacob was travelling inside an alleged stolen vehicle travelling at speed with another vehicle when his car clipped a passing motorist’s side-mirror, almost causing her to lose control of her vehicle.
Jacob appeared in court via videolink on Tuesday, March 12, to apply for bail and make a bid for early freedom.
The 21-year-olds parents appeared in court to support him and offered to take their son into their home, strictly supervise him and ensure he reported to the Deeragun Police Station three times a week if bail was granted.
The court heard Jacob was a “young man trying to live his life as best he thought appropriate” and had made mistakes in the past, which included being arrested for breaching bail conditions.
Jacob’s defence solicitor argued granting bail was appropriate given that Jacob now had family support and, even if Jacob pleaded guilty to the 14 charges levelled against him, it was unlikely he’d receive significant jail time given his limited criminal record.
Magistrate Ken Taylor denied the application for bail, noting the many times the 21-year-old has failed to appear in court when required.
“I do note his history is extremely poor, he has multiple fail to appears on there,” Mr Taylor said.
“The strength of evidence against the defendant on his current charges also seems to be strong.”
Jacob’s case was adjourned to April 4, 2024.
Originally published as ‘Trying to live his life’: Alleged street racer Taitai-Mark Jacob denied bail
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