First city arrest for 2021 ends with man jailed for unlicensed driving

A man with a lengthy history of unlicensed driving that spanned three states was handed his second jail sentence after police arrested him, ten minutes into the new year.

Brett Hoggard has the unenviable title of the first person arrested by Toowoomba police in 2021 after he was picked up at 12.10am on New Year’s Day.

The Logan man was travelling through Toowoomba when his car broke down.

Nearby police checked on Hoggard and realised he was wanted of three outstanding warrants – all related to serious traffic offences.

The officers arrested Hoggard and held him in custody to appear in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court, where he pleaded guilty to three counts of unlicensed driving, three counts of failing to appear in court and one count of contravening a direction to provide personal details.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Al Windsor told the court Hoggard had a lengthy history of unlicensed driving, for which he was previously jailed.

On March 31, police intercepted Hoggard on Chambers Flat Rd at Waterford West and he was again picked up for unlicensed driving on September 6 and November 30.

“ (Hoggard) quite candidly stated that he had never held a licence,” Sgt Windsor said.

Magistrate Andrew Cridland ordered a head sentence of three months jail, suspended for two years, a $1500 fine and disqualified Hoggard from holding a driver’s licence for three months.