Drink driver jailed for two years

AN Ipswich man who stole a taxi before mowing down four people will spend two years behind bars.

Ipswich District Court heard the actions of a drunken Roderick John Holt, 36, caused permanent brain damage to one of his victims, while the other three have suffered ongoing psychological trauma in addition to pain from their physical injuries.

Crown prosecutor Clayton Wallis said Holt had been drinking rum continuously for two days leading up to the April 26, 2009 offence.

It began on Wharf Road, Broadbeach about 2.40pm that day when he stole a taxi that had been parked with the keys in the ignition.

The opportunistic theft was followed by a short but devastating episode of drunken swerving by the learner’s permit holder.

Just up the road – at the busy intersection of Old Burleigh Road and 2nd Avenue – a couple in a Toyota Echo had stopped to let two pedestrians cross the road.

Just as the pair set foot onto the bitumen, Holt arrived from the opposite side – travelling south on the northbound lanes.

A 27-year-old female pedestrian took the brunt of the impact.

She was sent flying 20m before landing unconscious on another vehicle.

Her partner, a 40-year-old man, was also hit.

The taxi then slammed head-on into the stationary Toyota Echo, seriously injuring its two occupants.

Holt got out of the car and began walking away, but was tackled by a group of bystanders.

He was taken back to the police station where his blood-alcohol content read 0.250 per cent.

The female pedestrian suffered horrific and permanent injuries, including bleeding on the brain, a lacerated liver, internal bleeding and multiple leg and hip fractures.

Two of the other victims suffered grievous bodily harm-type injuries, including serious fractures and facial injuries.

Holt yesterday pleaded guilty to the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm while adversely affected by alcohol.

He also pleaded guilty to spitting blood on a police officer’s face in Fortitude Valley on December 13, 2008.

In sentencing, Judge David Andrews SC noted Holt had just received his $900 stimulus package before going on the rum binge.

Holt was sentenced to five years jail, to be suspended after serving two years. A total of 73 days spent in pre-sentence custody was declared as time already served.

His right to apply for a licence was disqualified absolutely.

He was sentenced to concurrent prison terms for the remaining offences.