Offender sent to Murri Court

Man subject to probation order

A 22-YEAR-OLD man pleading guilty before Toowoomba Magistrates Court didn’t quite receive the sentence he had probably been expecting.

Tristan Gary Hooper had been pulled over by police on Bridge St about 9pm, December 2, police prosecutor Catherine Steele told the court.

On a probationary driver’s licence at the time, the 22year-old tested positive during a road-side presumptive saliva test which showed he had marijuana in his system, the court heard.

Taken to the watch house, another sample of saliva was taken which later confirmed he had marijuana in his system at the relevant time.

A police search of his vehicle at the roadside had also turned up a small amount of marijuana, the court heard.

Hooper pleaded guilty to driving while having a relevant drug in his system while the holder of a probationary licence as well as possessing a dangerous drug.

However, Magistrate Damian Carroll looking through the defendant’s criminal history noted he was subject to a probation order as well as a parole order at the time and adjourned the court while an updated criminal history was presented to the court.

After the morning tea break, Mr Carroll was informed that the 22-year-old was indeed subject to parole and probation prompting Hooper’s solicitor Michael McElhinney to have the sentence transferred to the Murri Court sittings next month.

Mr Carroll released Hooper on Murri Court bail which includes him having to report to the Community Elders and the Probation and Parole Department before attending Murri Court for sentence on February 15.

For offenders to appear before the Murri Court they must be at risk of receiving a jail sentence.