Return to bad habits and to court

Man with history of evading taxi fares

IT WAS a return to bad habits that led to a 54-year-old Toowoomba man appearing before the city’s Magistrates Court this week.

Wayne Polzin had failed to appear in court on April 4 arising from a taxi fare evasion charge but was picked up by police more recently, the court was told.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Natalie Bugden told the court the charge arose from Polzin failing to pay a taxi fare dating back to January 15.

On that occasion, the 54year-old had hailed a Black & White Taxi cab in Anne Street, Fortitude Valley, in Brisbane, about 3.20am that day, the court heard.

He had asked the driver to take him to his home in Tor Street, Toowoomba, telling the cabbie that he had cash at home and would pay for the ride there, Sgt Bugden told the court.

However, after arriving back at the Tor Street residence just after 4am, Polzin had gone inside the house and had not returned to pay the driver the $450 fare, she said. The driver called police. Polzin told police he would get the money the next day when he accessed his bank account, Sgt Bugden said.

Polzin was charged with fare evasion to which he pleaded guilty along with the failing to appear in court charge.

Sgt Bugden said Polzin had a history of fare evasion but those offences were “dated”.

Polzin’s solicitor Nathan Bouchier, of Bouchier Khan Lawyers, told the court the 54year-old was on a disability support pension and had a brain injury which dated back to his childhood when he had meningitis.

His client had an NDIS package and his finances were managed by the Public Trustee, he said.

On the night in question, Polzin had been drinking alcohol and had no money on him for the trip back to Toowoomba, he said.

Polzin did have a history of such offending but those were some time ago, Mr Bouchier submitted.

Magistrate Louise Shephard ordered the convictions not be recorded and fined Polzin $200 and order he pay $450 compensation.