‘Clyde’ back in court

Half of ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ admits to series of offences

HALF of a Toowoomba couple dubbed Bonnie and Clyde because of a series of robberies and police chases that left a $54,000 damage and loss bill has appeared back before the city’s District Court.

Beau Tyson Robbins was still on parole arising from the four year jail term he received from the burglaries committed between October 2011 and March 2012 when he was again sought by police for a series of dangerous driving incidents in the Toowoomba area early last year, the court heard.

Judge Deborah Richards noted that the 28-year-old was charged with just one offence of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle but said he could have been charged with a number of the same offences.

Robbins had failed to pull over for police on a number of occasions while driving on roads in the Toowoomba district and had been clocked at various times doing 125kmh in an 80 zone, 136kmh in an 80 zone, 126kmh in a 100 zone and 126kmh in a 110 zone on separate occasions, Judge Richards said.

“You’re so lucky you didn’t kill anyone on the road, Mr Robbins,” she told him.

“I thank my lucky stars I didn’t,” Robbins replied.

He appeared by video link from the prison to plead guilty to a series of offences including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, disqualified driving, unlawfully using a motor vehicle, stealing, unlawful possession of a weapon and receiving tainted property.

Robbins had served out the remainder of his previous sentence in custody after which he had served 348 days of pre-sentence custody relating to his latest offences, the court heard.

Judge Richards noted Robbins had a “significant” criminal history as well as a serious traffic history.

However, Her Honour noted he had been addressing his issues through courses while in custody and was working in the prison kitchen, seen as a position of trust.

Judge Richards sentenced Robbins to three years in jail but ordered the term be suspended after he had served another six months with the balance to hang over his head for three years.

He was also placed on three years probation and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence absolutely.