Jacob Charles Aspland, 21, yesterday appeared in the Ballarat Magistrates Court and was refused bail because he was deemed an unacceptable risk of re-offending.

Giving evidence, Sergeant Tim Kennedy told the court that about 3.30am yesterday Aspland was spotted speeding at 90 km/h along Pleasant Street, a 60 km/h zone.

Aspland, from Buninyong, was on bail and parole at the time and was disqualified from driving.

Sergeant Kennedy said police followed him for a short distance until he allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of Alfred and Hertford Streets.

The pursuit then started, with Aspland allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road towards Buninyong, mounting kerbs and nature strips.

Sergeant Kennedy said police had laid down ‘stop sticks’, but Aspland continued to evade police despite crashing into a ditch and damaging the front end of his car.

“He was showing no regards for his safety or safety of police members pursuing him,” he said.

The court heard the pursuit lasted to Bannockburn – almost 60 kilometres away.

It eventually ended when the car Aspland was allegedly driving crashed into a pole on a roundabout.

Sergeant Kennedy said police tackled him to the ground and arrested him.

Opposing bail, Sergeant Kennedy said Aspland was a danger to the public if released.

“He has no regard for safety of members of the public and continues to put people at risk in terms of his behaviour,” he said.

Representing himself, Aspland said he had a number of pre-existing injuries, including a fractured skull and bleeding behind his left eye.

He also admitted to having used the drug ‘ice’ before the incident and was suffering depression following the death of his brother in November last year.

He said he planned to return to work next week and wanted to get his life back in order.

“I need something there so I can make money and I’m not out there running amok,” he said.

Magistrate Jack Vandersteen denied bail, saying Aspland was an unacceptable risk of re-offending.

Aspland is facing eight charges, including dangerous driving while evading police, reckless conduct endangering life and two counts of speeding.

He will reappear in court on January 30.