Meth-fuelled highway run

A COURT has heard a Toowoomba woman was “colliding with cars” during a meth-fuelled Warrego Highway drive last year.

Tattoo artist Sarah Catherine Myyra, 31, pleaded guilty in Ipswich Magistrates Court on July 18, to 13 charges including dangerous operation of a vehicle while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, obstructing a police officer, possessing dangerous drugs, stealing, unlawful possession of suspected stolen property and multiple counts of receiving tainted property.

The court heard that on October 10, 2021, Myyra unlawfully used a vehicle in Oakey.

On the same day, she was charged with dangerously operating a car at North Ipswich on the Warrego Highway and other roads at peak hour while under the influence of methamphetamine.

Acting Magistrate Rob Turra noted that Myyra was “actually colliding with cars, driving at speed” and said she had had a “complete disregard for the safety of others”.

“These are the types of offences that cause the community enormous concern,” he said.

The court heard that Myyra was previously convicted of dangerous operation of a vehicle in November, 2020, and also for dangerous operation of a vehicle while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance in May, 2021.

Myyra had further committed these most recent offences while on parole and a suspended sentence for similar offending – including ramming into the back of a police car.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Bridie O’Shea said Myyra’s history could be described as “appalling”.

She noted Myyra had six previous convictions for unlawful use of a motor vehicle and two for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

“This is a defendant who has repeatedly committed offences in a manner that poses significant risk to the community,” Senior Constable O’Shea said.

Defence lawyer Mr O’Mara noted that Myyra had co-offenders for many of her offences and said she had been drawn into a “bad crowd”.

“In order to keep faith or currency with that crowd, then you’re susceptible to doing what that crowd wants,” he said.

Myyra received a head sentence of 18 months imprisonment, suspended immediately for 12 months. A total of 187 of her 280 days in custody were declared time served, and she was disqualified from obtaining or holding a licence for two years. The operational period of her previous suspended sentence was extended by six months.