Jake Douglas Smith charged after toddler allegedly filmed steering car

Jake Douglas Smith, 30, appeared in Joondalup Magistrates Court on Friday facing one count of reckless driving. The charge follows a viral social media video from September 11 in Alkimos, north of Perth, which allegedly shows a three-year-old child sitting unrestrained on Smith’s lap while steering a Toyota HiLux.

In the footage, the vehicle is seen swaying across the road while a man, believed to be Smith, provides verbal instructions to the child. The clip ends with the vehicle coming to a stop on a footpath.

Representing himself during the initial appearance, Smith declined to enter a plea, stating it was for the court to find out. Outside the courtroom, Smith made several comments to reporters, including a remark that he was “in talks with the best lawyer on Earth,” jokingly adding, “Would you like to know his name? Jesus Christ.”

Smith’s bail has been extended, and the matter has been adjourned until late October.