An unlicenced 33-year-old man caught a taxi from his home to the address of the Outlaws motor cycle club and stole a Toyota Landcruiser before driving it home, the Launceston Magistrates Court heard.
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Brett William Woodward, now of Newnham, pleaded guilty to motor vehicle stealing and driving without a licence on August 10, 2020 and a separate eight counts of breaching a restraint order.
Woodward walked free from court after Magistrate Ken Stanton suggested that the 44 days he had spent in in custody on remand was sufficient penalty for the offences.
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Police prosecutor Michal Harley said Woodward caught the taxi from a family member's home in Rocherlea to Mayne St, Invermay and stole the Toyota Landcruiser and drove back to Rocherlea.
Police located the vehicle parked outside the next day.
Defence counsel James Oxley said Woodward found the keys in the vehicle and drove it.
"There was no damage to the vehicle and it was found the next day," he said.
He said Woodward had been using drugs and alcohol to cope with mental health problems.
Mr Stanton said the episode was "simply inexplicable".
"Why catch a taxi and take the car is not clear although perhaps he was just not thinking straight because of drug and alcohol issues," he said.
"Fortunately there was no damage and there was no attempt to conceal the car."
Under the Community Corrections Order imposed Mr Stanton ordered that Woodward comply with the direction of a probation officer-especially if the officer ordered him not to drink alcohol.
Referring to Woodward's incarceration since December 3, 2020 Mr Stanton said: "I'm not sure I would have imposed a jail sentence if he had not come here in custody.