L-plater’s $6k fine for charge

Hands tied with mandatory minimum

A LEARNER driver has been hit with a $6095 fine after a driving offence considered minor by the courts.

Appearing in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on two charges, Nicholas William Hogan, 18, was given the option of community service to lessen, or replace, the financial outlay of a fine.

But he opted instead to pay the staggering amount after pleading guilty to one count each of evade police and contravening a direction.

Prosecutor Julia Wheaton told the court police were in Brigalow St on August 21 when they were told of a car doing laps around the area.

About 7.55pm that day, a marked police car fell in behind the vehicle driven by Hogan, turned on the lights and sirens, and told him to pull over.

Hogan slowed down and continued driving for about 300 metres, indicated to turn left then sped from police who pulled back and did not pursue, Senior Constable Wheaton said.

Officers later spoke with the owner of the vehicle located through a registration check and were told Hogan was the driver.

He was later spoken to and given a notice to give identifying particulars to Toowoomba police by September 23, which he failed to do.

He was later found at the Wilsonton Hotel and asked about the matter, telling police he didn’t know why he didn’t give police his fingerprints.

Snr Const. Wheaton said Hogan, a learner driver, told police he had been alone in the car when told to pull over.

Solicitor Kevin Rose, for Hogan, said his client’s actions were not at the serious end of offending.

Mr Rose said he had watched footage of Hogan driving from police which reinforced the minor aspect of the offending.

Magistrate Damian Carroll noted Hogan’s lack of criminal and traffic history and first asked if he would rather compete community service rather than pay the mandatory minimum fine courts must impose for offences of evade police.

Mr Rose said his client would rather the fine.

Mr Carroll therefore fined Hogan $6095 for evade police and disqualified his licence for two years.

He convicted but not further punished him for contravening a direction, and ordered no convictions be recorded.