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AAP
AAP
National
Laine Clark

Couple jailed after car 'used as a weapon'

A couple have been jailed after one used a car to hit people and the other used a knife on them. (AAP)

A woman used a car "as a weapon" by accelerating into two suspected thieves before her knife-wielding partner threatened to kill them.

The 26-year-old woman was the "driving force" behind two separate attacks - including one on a 15-year-old boy - after her home was burgled in March 2020, Brisbane District Court heard on Thursday.

The woman was angry after someone broke into the home she shared with a 27-year-old man, stealing their drugs and items "dear to her".

The next day, the couple were driving around looking for a 23-year-old man she believed was involved in the robbery and spotted him walking down the street in Brisbane's south.

Her partner jumped out brandishing a knife and pursued the man while the woman accelerated after him in the car.

The man was struck by the car at about 30km/h and thrown into the air, landing on his back.

Her partner then stabbed him twice - perforating his bowel - before repeatedly kicking and threatening to kill the man as he lay on the ground.

A neighbour took a video of the woman "threatening to kill the man" who managed to escape.

Four days later the couple targeted another burglary suspect - the 15-year-old boy.

After the woman organised to drop off drugs at the boy's house, the partner again jumped out of the car upon arrival and began waving a knife.

The boy tried to run into his house but was hit by the car after the woman accelerated "at maximum capacity for two-and-a-half seconds", reaching 32km/h before crashing into a concrete post.

The boy suffered ankle and leg fractures that required surgery.

The woman then repeatedly swung a metal pole at the boy's head as he lay on the ground which he blocked with his arm while her partner threatened to kill him with the knife.

When the boy's father emerged, he was also threatened.

"Your offending is highly violent, highly serious, it was in my view targeted ... (and) in each instance ... (the woman) used the vehicle as a weapon," Judge Michael Byrne said.

Both were on probation at the time.

The woman's partner provided a letter expressing regret in court.

"This is the first time I have been clean from ice since my dad committed suicide back in 2018 and I have no intention of ever using ice again," it said.

However, he was later spotted laughing during sentencing.

"You may find it amusing ... but it's not," Judge Byrne said.

Both pleaded guilty to a string of charges - including malicious act with intent and dangerous operation of a vehicle - and were each sentenced to nine years in jail.

They will be eligible for parole in September 2024 with 854 days in pre-sentence custody declared time served.

Judge Byrne opted against a serious violence offence declaration for each after "some hesitance".

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