Learner driver Jeremiah Murray, 31, neglects responsibilities in Toowoomba crash

An unsupervised learner driver raised a screwdriver when police chased him down following a crash.

Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

After fleeing a crash of his making, a learner driver refused a blood substance test when police found him agitated on the streets of Toowoomba.

Toowoomba man Jeremiah Jonathon Murray, 31, appeared via video before Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday pleading guilty to seven offences including obstructing police, learning to drive without proper supervision and failing to provide a specimen of blood for test on requirement.

Police prosecutor Anita Page told the court the man was seen driving erratically down Taylor Street in Toowoomba on October 22 when he crashed into a nearby driver.

“He was observed swerving over the roadway before crashing into the rear of a white Camry,” Ms Page said.

He fled the scene on foot and was located a short time later by police.

“(He) raised his right hand brandishing a screwdriver towards police.”

“Police drew their firearms and commanded the male to drop the screwdriver, he was observed to attempt to manoeuvre around them and he was placed under arrest.”

Murray was then asked to provide a blood specimen for testing but refused.

“He refused to sit still, he was swinging his arm and he failed to comply with directions from the nurse,” Ms Page said.

At the time of the crash, Murray was classified a learner driver but was not displaying his L-plates or driving with the supervision of an open class licence holder.

Days later, Murray was found with a syringe and bagged substance weighing 1.25 grams which he advised was ice crystals for his personal use.

The 31-year-old was on parole during all of his offending and had only recently been released from prison.

Defence solicitor Christiane Mullins for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service said Murray had a traumatic history of drug abuse and had struggled to escape a life of crime.

“He is quite institutionalised with long periods of incarceration and he does report that he struggles with reintegration into the community,” she said.

Ms Mullins claimed Murray never intended to use the screwdriver as a weapon and had made strides towards rehabilitation in his time in custody.

“He was scared and he did have the screwdriver, he instructs, because he was changing the plates over on his vehicle,” she said.

“He did complete a relapse prevention plan and he had been engaging with probation and parole.”

Magistrate Mark Howden accepted Murray’s institutionalisation but warned of continuing down the same dark path.

“That is exactly the thought that I had when I read (his case),” he said.

“You’re growing up in jail.

“It’s really a matter for you as to whether you want to do something about your life when you’re released.

Taking into account his 25 days of pre-sentence custody, Mr Howden convicted Murray on all charges but did not further punish him.

Murray was instructed to serve 40 hours community service for obstructing police and disqualified from driving or holding a licence for six months.

Convictions were recorded.