On the wrong track
Judge says man who left car on tram line lucky nobody hurt
A GOLD Coast man who went on a drug-fuelled crime spree and got a stolen car stuck on tram tracks has been admonished for putting people’s safety at risk.
Magistrate Gary Finger was not impressed by Blaine Phillip William Taylor’s driving which left a Toyota Corolla stuck on the tram tracks at the overpass near Queen St station, Southport, for an hour from 3.40am on New Year’s Day.
Mr Finger was surprised no one was hurt.
“That’s a minor miracle in itself,” he said.
The magistrate said Taylor should not have been driving as his licence is disqualified until December next year.
Taylor had driven the car up on to the tram overpass, having taking it from his girlfriend, Gemma Redstone, about 1.30am after a fight. Taylor, 27, fled the scene and began a series of break-ins across the Gold Coast.
In the first break-in, an Arundel woman woke to find Taylor looming above her. He fled when she said “hello”.
Prosecutor Paula Cavanagh told Southport Magistrates Court Taylor then made his way to Labrador where he was caught breaking into another home and stealing an electric bicycle.
Police later caught up with Taylor at an Oxenford address where he was found with a glass pipe and mobile phone taken from a car in Labrador. Defence lawyer Campbell MacCallum, of Moloney MacCallum Lawyers, said Ms Redstone was not aware Taylor had taken the car.
He said Ms Redstone did not plan to lodge a complaint about the car being stolen until police called her after removing it from the tracks.
Mr MacCallum read a letter from Ms Redstone to the court where she defended Taylor’s actions.
“He said how much he wanted to live a normal life,” the letter said. “I know he has a good heart.”
Taylor pleaded guilty to seven charges, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, entering a premises in the night, burglary, enter premises, stealing a vehicle, disqualified driving and possessing utensils related to drugs.
Magistrate Finger reserved his sentencing decision until Wednesday.
Taylor was remanded in custody until that time.
HE SAID HOW MUCH HE WANTED TO LIVE A NORMAL LIFE. I KNOW HE HAS A GOOD HEART.
GIRLFRIEND GEMMA REDSTONE