Man accused of stealing coast taxi was released from jail a month ago

THE man who police will allege stole a taxi from the Sunshine Coast before being by tracked by Pol Air and arrested in Toowoomba on Sunday had been free from prison for just a month before the incident, Toowoomba Magistrates Court has heard.

Timothy Andrew Butler is alleged to have caused $4500 worth of damage to the taxi’s camera and computer system before being apprehended at the weekend.

Solicitor Amber Acreman, representing the bruised and black-eyed 26-year-old, applied for bail on his behalf as Butler sat in the dock fixated on a family member in the public gallery.

Ms Ackermann told the court Butler, who had been free from jail for a matter of weeks after serving a four-year sentence for serious property offences, stole the taxi in a bid to escape the coast after an altercation.

“He was there celebrating the birthday of a friend’s son before getting involved in an argument with one person... he was assaulted quite severely by a number of friends of the person he was having a conflict with,” she said.

“This was the catalyst for him wanting to get back to Toowoomba from the Sunshine Coast.

“His history is atrocious for these kinds of offences, but this is far less serious than those.”

After reading through Butler’s criminal record, Magistrate Damien Carroll denied the Noosaville man bail.

“A taxi driver today can’t earn his income because that vehicle has been rendered inoperable because of the damage that was done,” Magistrate Carroll said.

Butler will reappear in the same court on June 29.

He is facing one charge each of wilful damage, dangerous operation of a vehicle and failing to comply with restrictions of a learner’s licence.