A dangerous driver whose life has involved a long-running string of offences and revolving door of jail terms has been told it's not too late to change.
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Annaliese Kirchen, 23, will be eligible for parole in a few weeks after her latest offending in which she accidentally set her pants on fire while destroying a car.
She had been spotted with four others buying fuel from Benalla.
She was seriously burnt.
The fire occurred on July 19 last year, and Kirchen was arrested at a Melbourne hotel a week later.
She next came to police attention on September 6 after being seen driving at up to 120km/h in a 60km/h zone on Rangeview Avenue in Wangaratta.
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A man jumped to safety on Hinchley Street to avoid being hit and her car went onto the wrong side of the road at the intersection of O'Leary and Phillipson streets.
She had spent 217 days in custody up to her court appearance on Monday.
Kirchen has a multitude of similar offences on her record and is a high-risk of re-offending.
"The tapestry that was woven in your childhood has been responsible in part for your offending today," magistrate Ian Watkins said.
"It's not too late to turn your life around.
"It's not too late to go on and become a responsible citizen ... that's a matter for you."
Kirchen has undertaken programs while at the Dame Phyllis Frost prison.
Mr Watkins jailed her for a minimum eight months with a 14-month maximum, meaning she will be eligible for parole soon.
"It's fortunate you are sitting here being sentenced today, rather than having killed yourself out on the road, which you could have easily done," he said.
Mr Watkins labelled the arson on the stolen vehicle as "wanton destruction".
"To do it to avoid evidence being found is something that needs to involve significant reprimand from the court," he said.
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