A SYDNEY man involved in four separate police pursuit in a 385-kilometre journey from West Wyalong to Howlong at an average speed of 140km/h was yesterday jailed for 14 months.
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Magistrate Tony Murray told Joseph Lawrence Jackson Kelly, 21, it was a classic example of him showing no regard for his own safety or any other motorists with the first pursuit starting early on May 26.
“I am struggling to find a worse example of this type of behaviour,” Mr Murray said.
Kelly appeared in person for sentencing in Albury Local Court after previously pleading guilty to four counts of failing to stop in a police pursuit and unlicensed driving.
Mr Murray said individually each pursuit was bad enough, but cumulatively were horrendous and it was sheer luck that Kelly’s vehicle did not hit any other motorists.
Solicitor Rob Hussey said Kelly had had long time drug and alcohol issues.
“There is a need for general deterrence and denunication,” he said.
“That is conceded.”
A Commodore driven by Kelly was reported stolen in Queensland the previous day, but was seen on the Newell Highway at West Wyalong at 7.46am.
A police highway patrol vehicle followed in moderate fog and Kelly accelerated to 213km/h when this cleared.
The warning lights on the police car were activated and Kelly continued at speeds of between 180km/h and 200km/h, straddling the centre lines.
The chase was stopped when Kelly overtook a truck on double lines.
A Deniliquin highway patrol officer waiting at Finley for Kelly turned on his lights when he arrived about 9.40am.
Kelly failed to stop, took the Riverina Highway turn and was chased for 10 kilometres at speeds of up to 220km/h before the chase ended.
A Corowa highway patrol car was waiting near Rennie as Kelly approached where his speed was recorded at 143km/h.
When signalled to stop, he accelerated, reaching 200km/h as the officer followed.
The chase stopped when they encountered fog.
There was another pursuit near Howlong and Kelly entering the town at more than 100km/h, with road spikes were successfully used.
Mr Murray said there were further aggravating factors with Kelly being unlicensed and having a woman passenger in the car.
Kelly received fixed terms of five months for the first two pursuits, 12 months for the third offence and 20 months, with a minimum of 14, for the fourth matter.
Mr Murray imposed a five-year disqualification on Kelly as well as a $150 fine for unlicensed driving.
