Young crim fined $7500 for leading police on chase

A young man with a long history of petty crime told police he did not want a fine three days before sitting his learner driver’s test. Instead, he led them on a failed chase through Darling Heights.

Dylan Tre Muller told police he was due to sit his learner’s driving license exam in a few days’ time and “freaked out” when police attempted to pull him over, on June 11, 2020.

Rather than stop, the 22-year-old led police on pursuit through Kearneys Spring, that included speeding past Darling Heights State School at 80km/h.

Evading police carries a minimum sentence of 50 days in jail or a $6500 fine and which one Muller deserved was the focus of a hearing in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court yesterday.

Police Prosecutor Natalia Bugden said officers were at an unrelated address in Kearneys Spring when they observed Muller driving a silver Subaru Forester, about 11.05am.

“Checks of the license plates revealed they belonged to a red Forester … and that the registration was cancelled,” she said.

Police located the Forester in Platz St, but Muller sped off.

Sgt Bugden said police followed Muller for a short time, terminating their pursuit when it was clear he would not stop.

Police located the Forester and Muller in North Toowoomba the next day.

Sgt Bugden said Muller apologised to the officers, saying he didn’t want to be caught driving without a license.

Along with evading police, Muller pleaded guilty to 11 lesser charges, including driving unlicensed and unregistered, drug offences and using a phone to menace and harass.

Magistrate Damian Carroll fined Muller $7500, extended a pre-existing suspended sentence by six month and jailed him for three months, with immediate parole.

“This is your last chance,” he said.

“The next step is inside.”