Dad wants to turn his life around

Vows to be a role model, court hears

A 29-YEAR-OLD man has told a Toowoomba court that he wanted to get out of prison, get away from drugs and be a role model for his children.

William Martin Nixon had spent 95 days in custody before appearing by video link from the prison to plead guilty before Toowoomba Magistrates Court to 25 offences ranging from unlawful use of vehicles, disqualified driving, burglary to breaching court orders.

His solicitor Amber Acreman said her client had turned to drug use and offending after his partner of 14 years with whom he had five children and he had separated last year.

However, since being in custody her client had been “clean and sober”, had put on weight and upon his release intended to return to Mitchell where he had a job waiting.

The court heard among Nixon’s offences, he and mates had taken a car from Toowoomba and driven to Brisbane where they had stolen a marked Logan City Council truck which they drove back to Toowoomba on December 15.

Nixon had also walked out of a Toowoomba liquor store with more than $1000 worth of alcohol in a trolley.

The 29-year-old told Magistrate Kay Ryan that he intended turning his life around.

“I must say I’m really ashamed of my behaviour while I was under the influence of drugs,” he said.

“I want to be a role model for my children, Your Honour.”

Ms Ryan told Nixon that his intentions were admirable but warned him of the difficulties he would face when was back in the community and urged him to take advantage of the help offered to rehabilitate.

Ms Ryan sentenced Nixon to nine months in jail but declared the 95 days as time already spent under the sentence and ordered he be released on parole immediately.

Nixon was ordered to make restitution of $1534.40 which was referred to SPER.