Aiden John Robson convicted for dangerous driving in Toowoomba Magistrates Court

A 22-year-old man hit speeds of around 115km/h in a 60km/h zone after a police car performed a U-turn and attempted to intercept him, a court has been told.

Reaching speeds of up to 115km/h, Aiden John Robson sped through the suburban streets of Wilsonton Heights with a police car following in pursuit.

Despite the 22-year-old man’s high-speed attempts to avoid police on February 25, 2021, officers caught up with the man at a Risson Street home and on Wednesday, July 14 he appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court to plead guilty to dangerous operation of vehicle.

The court heard about 9.28pm on the offence date, police were patrolling along Tor Street in Wilsonton Heights when they saw a vehicle travelling north.

Police prosecutor sergeant Cameron Francis said police conducted a U-turn to attempt to intercept the vehicle, which then suddenly accelerated and turned down Cathro Street before turning onto Holberton Street.

The court was told as police attempted to keep up with the vehicle they lost sight of it, until a witness at the intersection pointed out the direction the vehicle went.

Sergeant Francis said eventually police patrols caught up to the vehicle at an address on Risson Street. After police arrived the court was told a man, who was identified as Robson, came out and confronted police on their presence, before admitting he was behind the wheel at the time.

Sergeant Francis said investigations revealed Robson reached speeds of between 90-115km/h while on Cathro Street.

Robson’s solicitor Amber Acreman, of Skuse Graham Lawyers, said had Robson not told police he was the driver it would have been a more difficult charge to prove, and that his early guilty plea and admissions were indications of his remorse.

Conceding his actions crossed the threshold for imprisonment Ms Acreman said Robson had demonstrated positive steps towards his rehabilitation, stating that he had been through a “dark period” earlier this year after recovering from a significant hand injury he suffered at work that required surgery and saw him out of work for some time.

Acting magistrate Roger Stark convicted Robson of dangerous driving and an unrelated charge of and driving while a relevant drug was present in blood or saliva and was sentenced to two months jail, with immediate parole. Robson was also disqualified from holding a driver’s licence for 18 months and fined $500.