A Rutherglen man jailed for two years for a police pursuit committed while on a strict court order for another chase has been warned he was "lucky he wasn't dead" instead.
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Kieran James Hindle fled police across Lavington on the night of April 9.
He showed no intention of stopping. Hindle went through a red light just before crashing into a traffic light pole, then tried to flee.
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Defence lawyer Emma Harrison outlined to magistrate Richard Funston in Albury Local Court how Hindle, 31, had been using illicit drugs since he was 25.
Ms Harrison said the police outline of the case against Funston stated only that he drove at above 60km/h.
He "absolutely expresses remorse for his actions" and "regrets putting the community at risk."
But Mr Funston said no mention of the exact speed did not negate the gravity of Hindle's offending.
"He's lucky he wasn't dead or ended up killing someone else on the road, Ms Harrison," he said, "and in a stolen vehicle at the time with stolen plates."
Hindle was already on an intensive corrections order for another police pursuit.
Ms Harrison asked that Hindle not be given full-time jail so he could care for his elderly parents.
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"Well," Mr Funston replied, "shouldn't he have thought of that at the time? He knew exactly where he stood on the 9th of April.
"This kind of reckless driving puts so many lives at risk.
"It's a very serious set of facts and the court has to send the message that young men who drive in often stolen cars and often drive recklessly must have jail sentences."
Mr Funston disqualified Hindle from driving for four years.
He said the best way Hindle could make amends to his family was to better himself by completing whatever courses became available to him in jail.
"There's still hope Mr Hindle and I'm urging you to take that hope."
Hindle pleaded guilty to charges of police pursuit, drive while disqualified, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, goods in custody and possess housebreaking implements.
A non-parole period of 14 months will have him released on June 8, 2021.
