A46-year-old Mount Gambier man was convicted in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court last week for driving dangerously to escape police and driving at a dangerous speed.
Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos heard the police chase occurred on March 12 from 1.56pm and spanned seven kilometres and three to four minutes across the South East.
“Police observed a Holden sedan exiting the BP on Commercial Street West and saw the vehicle immediately turn right into Umpherston Street in a hurry,” Mount Gambier Police Prosecutor Stephanie Rikkard said.
The court heard police pursued the driver down West Street, Sutton Avenue, Nicholas Street, Shelton Street and Commercial Street West.
“Whether the driver saw or heard the police vehicle, it was seen to start overtaking vehicles, travelling onto the wrong side of the road into moderate traffic flow,” Prosecutor Rikkard said.
“Another police officer was at the location when he saw the vehicle turn left through a red light at the intersection of Avey Road.
“Police were about 200 metres behind the vehicle on Avey Road and were travelling at about 110kph which is a 50kph speed zone.
“The vehicle travelled through a stop sign at the end of the road as it turned left onto Tollner Road.”
Prosecutor Rikkard told the court that police watched as the vehicle travelled onto the wrong side of the road again to make a right turn onto White Avenue due to a heavy vehicle blocking the south bound lane waiting to make a turn.
“The vehicle turned right onto White Avenue at a speed and consequently lost control, travelling onto the grass verge on the left side of the road and fishtailed out of control for around 15-20m on the grass,” she said.
“The vehicle regained control and went back onto the road way, accelerating quickly again and travelling south on Carpenters Rocks Road.
“Police followed with lights and sirens following at speeds of up to 160kph in a signed 110kph area.
“The vehicle was pulling away from police travelling at speeds in excess of 160kph so the pursuit was terminated due to the high speeds and the danger posed to the public.”
Police were on Carpenters Rocks Road a short time later when they found the vehicle stationary at a residential address on Locke Road and the defendant outside the car.
“When he was in the back streets he simply panicked and he was scared of being pulled over because he thought because that he had a requirement to have his driver’s licence on him which he did not because he did not believe he had his wallet on him,” defence lawyer Jarred Sim said.
“Coincidentally, your honour, in hindsight my client in fact did have his wallet on him but it had slid under the driver’s seat.”
During sentencing, Magistrate Kossiavelos criticised the man for the danger his behaviour posed to himself and others on the road.
“It was very extreme danger to yourself and others on the road even if there is not banked up traffic, anything can come out of the side street,” Magistrate Kossiavelos said.
“Whether it was a rural area or whether it is in the heart of Mount Gambier, you are putting yourself and others at risk.
“General deterrence is important in these matters so that others have the message from the courts that this behaviour is not acceptable and will be punished.”
The man was issued a two year licence disqualification effective immediately, a 12 month instant loss of licence backdated to the date of the offence, a one year suspended sentence and a $700 fine.
