Carey Park carjacker receives thousands in fines and remains in custody after reckless police pursuit

A South West man who was convicted in custody for a horrific daylight carjacking has received fines for a string of reckless driving charges while trying to evade police. Gregory Douglas Abbott, 33, appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court via videolink from Bunbury Regional Prison this month, where he was handed his sentence for multiple reckless driving related charges. On March 14 this year, Abbott fled the scene of the carjacking in a stolen vehicle and drove on the wrong side of the road. Abbott engaged in a police pursuit after ignoring calls to stop, where he drove directly into oncoming traffic across Hamilton Road in Eaton. The court heard nearly 100 vehicles were forced to leave the carriageway to avoid a collision with Abbott. The reckless driving continues over various carparks and parkland adjacent to a shopping centre before attempting to drive the stolen vehicle through small bushes near Australind Bypass, where he hit a tree and became bogged in sand. Abbott did not hold a license and had a blood alcohol reading of 0.108 at the time of offending. He previously appeared in Bunbury District Court where he received sentencing for separate charges of armed robbery during the carjacking incident. Magistrate Belinda Coleman said there was “no doubt” the events were “extremely dangerous” for everyone involved. Abbott was sentenced a further six months to be served cumulative of his earlier sentence from district court. He also received a four-year and seven-month license disqualification and nearly $6000 in fines.