Wayne John Weribone jailed after pleading guilty in Toowoomba Magistrates Court to 14 offences

Failing to appear in court to face drug offences for fear of going to prison became a self-fulfilling prophecy for a Toowoomba man, who finally learnt his fate this week.

A Toowoomba man has been handed a jail term after failing to appear in court for drug and driving offences dating back to January and April.

Wayne John Weribone was stopped by police on January 19, 2022 where it was discovered he was driving with methylamphetamine in his system, and a search of his car uncovered drug items, including bags and scales, Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told on Monday.

Two months later on April 18 the 30-year-old was spotted driving away from a service station, despite having his licence suspended, and when police attempted to stop him he fled from the scene.

The court was told a search of his vehicle uncovered 14g of cannabis, scales and the keys of a laundry business.

Weribone then failed to appear in court as required, and spent 49 days in pre-sentence custody after he was arrested on May 30 on an outstanding warrant in relation to the offences.

In total Weribone pleaded guilty to 14 offences, including driving while a drug was present, possessing dangerous drugs, breach of bail and failure to appear in court.

Police prosecutor Rohan Brewster-Webb said the offences were committed between January and May while Weribone was on parole.

Weribone’s solicitor Kirsty Smith said her client’s partner was three months pregnant with the couple’s first child, but that the breach of bail and fail to appear charges stemmed from the January driving offences following a realisation he was likely to be sent back inside.

“They occur in the context of him being aware, following that January driving charge, that it was likely that his parole would be suspended, and it seems as though he disengaged in those circumstances,” she said.

Weribone was jailed for four months, with magistrate Clare Kelly declaring 49 days of pre-sentence custody as time served, making him immediately eligible for parole.

Weribone was also disqualified from holding a driver’s licence for four months.