’ Bizarre’ acts result in jail Man hit billboard, drove unlicensed

A TOWNSVILLE man has been jailed for committing a “bizarre” string of crimes.

Riaz Ali Hussein, 36, was arrested on August 30 after he was caught damaging a billboard at Currajong.

Police searched him and found marijuana and a pipe.

Prosecutor Codie Rowe said Ali Hussein was released from the watch- house and then, at midnight the same day, drove a stolen car while disqualified.

“On September 4 he was again located in the vehicle,” he said. “He ... explained ( to police) that he had been driving because he wanted to drive, he said it was as simple as that.”

It was the eighth time Ali Hussein had been caught driving disqualified — the last time it happened, he was sentenced to nine months’ jail. Ali Hussein pleaded guilty

Townsville Magistrates in Court yesterday to unlawful use of a motor vehicle, wilful damage, two counts of possessing marijuana and two counts of possessing a pipe.

Mr Rowe said Ali Hussein had been in custody for 87 days and was currently serving out that nine- month term.

Defence solicitor Michael Spearman said Ali Hussein was born in Melbourne, finished high school in Kirwan and did two years of a law degree.

He said Ali Hussein’s depression escalated and he was unable to finish university.

“He has worked in hospitality for a significant period of time, up until about two years ago, where his depression got the better of him and he was unable to continue,” he said.

Mr Spearman said Ali Hussein’s drug use increased and he was reliant on his parents for support.

There was “no logic” to his offending.

Magistrate Ross Mack said Ali Hussein had shown remorse with an early guilty plea.

“The circumstances of the offence are fairly bizarre, you just decided to drive a car that wasn’t yours while you were disqualified from holding a driver’s licence,” he said.

“I’m sorry you’re having a bad time of it, but that doesn’t mean individuals should have their car taken away.”

Ali Hussein was sentenced to 12 months’ jail, with parole eligibility on January 4.

He was fined $ 500 for the wilful damage and ordered to pay $ 517 in restitution for the damaged billboard. He was fined $ 450 for the drug offences.