A P-plate hoon involved in a dangerous, high-speed chase with his girlfriend and their two-year-old son in the car, both of whom he later abandoned in a bid to save his own skin, has been jailed for 18 months.
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The 22-year-old, who can’t be identified for legal reasons, was driving so erratically during the October 21 incident that police were forced to terminate the chase due to fears for public safety.
He then deserted the vehicle, leaving his partner alone to face the police when they arrived on scene a short time later.
In court on Wednesday, Magistrate Michael Stoddart was scathing of the man’s behaviour, saying it was remarkable no one was injured.
“There was extreme danger to your passengers in the vehicle as well as other road users,” he said.
“You didn’t care about anybody’s safety and wellbeing on this day, did you?”
Court documents said the man was clocked speeding on Five Islands Road just before 4.30pm but refused to stop for police.
Officers chased the man’s Mitsubishi Lancer from Unanderra to Port Kembla and back to Warrawong as he reached speeds of up to 120km/hr on the suburban streets and drove straight through multiple intersections and stop signs.
Police terminated the pursuit after watching the man cross to the wrong side of the road and drive through a red light at the Shellharbour Road/Northcliffe Drive intersection.
By the time officers caught up with the car near Montgomery Avenue, the man had abandoned the vehicle and run off, leaving his partner and their toddler behind.
He was arrested a short distance away and initially denied being the driver but eventually confessed.
He also told police his licence was disqualified.
He was charged with a host of offences including dangerous driving but released on conditional bail.
In court, the man’s lawyer said his client suffered from “various” mental health conditions and hadn’t been on his medication at the time.
“He’s now back on his medication and feeling better, he’s not having outbursts,” he said.
Magistrate Stoddart noted the man already had 22 matters on his “disgraceful” traffic record and set a non-parole period of nine-months, saying he couldn’t overlook the objective seriousness of the pursuit.
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