Gran’s path of chaos

A 45-YEAR-OLD Glan Devon grandmother with a learner’s licence led police on a worrying goose-chase across the South Burnett, with a magistrate later saying her drug use was largely to blame.

Peta Marie Stimpson was behind the wheel of her Hyundai on November 25 last year, when police approached her at 6pm, having received a call in regards to Stimpson “driving suicidally”.

Officers spoke to the defendant and noted it was clear she was suffering a crisis before she drove off towards Murgon along the Burnett Highway.

Later, Murgon police attempted to intercept the grandmother, with Stimpson (pictured) repeatedly stopping before taking off again.

She eventually slowed and motioned for police to pull alongside where she leaned out the window and yelled at them to “f--k off”.

Police stopped attempts to intercept at this point.

Eventually the car ran out of petrol and police approached and negotiated with Stimpson to leave the vehicle.

While being transported, she smashed a police car’s window with her elbow, and while she was being transferred to another police vehicle she kicked at a door and jumped out. Police prosecutor Sean Franklin described Stimpson’s behaviour during the incident as “highly erratic and aggressive, with violent outbursts throughout the evening”.

Stimpson’s lawyer Alan Korobacz said at the time of the incident she had been in a long term “toxic” relationship that ended and left her in a difficult situation.

He also attributed much of the behaviour to her use of ice, which was found in blood samples taken on the night.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair agreed the drugs played a part, and warned her if she continued to use drugs it would have a devastating impact on herself as well has her daughter and grandchild.

“The behaviour which you displayed as well as being consistent with a mental health episode is also consistent with people who take methylamphetamine,” Magistrate Sinclair said.

“It's an incredibly dangerous drug … at least some of the behaviour must be attributed to your decision to use those.”

Stimpson pleaded guilty to wilful damage, obstructing police, evading police, driving unsupervised as a learner, and driving under influence of drugs.

She was placed on eight months’ probation, disqualified from driving for two years and was fined $6892.50.