A DRUNK L-plater who was caught doing burnouts in a shopping centre car park then led police on a high speed chase through Wendouree, a court has heard.
Eighteen-year-old Joshua Ty Beere appeared in Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday, where a summary of his lone driving rampage was heard.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Aimee Heal said that on the evening of February 13 this year Beere struck a give way sign with his car while driving in Wendouree.
The teenager drove off without notifying the authorities, and was later seen spinning his wheels and doing “donuts” in the Stockland Wendouree car park.
A concerned shopper called police, who soon observed Beere driving at 114km/h down Gillies Street, a 60km/h zone.
Having activated their warning lights, the officers chased Beere down Grevillea Road and onto Forest Street, where he suddenly pulled over.
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When breath tested, Beere recorded a blood alcohol content of 0.09.
The L-plater was not accompanied by an experienced driver, nor was he displaying L-plates.
Beer told police, “I’m an idiot”, and admitted going on the driving rampage because he was intoxicated.
Defence lawyer David Tamanika said his client had been drinking by himself before getting behind the wheel.
“His recollection of the night was that he had been going through some depression and not taking his medication,” Mr Tamanika said.
“He accepts it was a very stupid thing to do.
“The disappointing thing about this is he had a friend killed in a car accident in Melbourne just six months ago.”
Magistrate Michelle Hodgson sentenced Beere to a 12 month community corrections order including 50 hours’ unpaid community work and a requirement to attend a road trauma awareness seminar.
“Young men affected by alcohol and driving in this manner, a clear message has to be sent,” she said.
“You were driving in a highly populated area at speeds that, quite frankly, can kill people.”
Beere pleaded guilty to six charges including drink driving, driving in a manner dangerous and failing to stop after an accident.