James Lucas, 22, was stopped by police on Creswick Road, Clunes, at 11.26pm on 1 September 2017 after his speed had been recorded at 123 km/hr in a 100km zone.

When asked by police why he was speeding, he said; “I had to drive the car for my boss.”

While examining Lucas’s priors and history, Magistrate Clive Alsop cited multiple unlicensed and unsafe driving charges, noting the accused had been picked up for almost the same offences on 20 December 2016, for which he had been placed on a Community Corrections Order (CCO).

Defence counsel pleaded for leniency, citing his youth and stating Lucas had left school in Year 8, had left the family home around the same time, had started drinking and using drugs at 15 but had “stopped cold turkey” about three years ago.

She said Lucas was now expecting his first child with his partner and travelled to Melbourne daily for work.

“We are not in fine territory, we are in something much more serious,” Magistrate Alsop said. “This bloke doesn’t listen and doesn’t care.”

“He’s on a CCO and he’s unlicensed and speeding. It beggars belief that anyone would be so stupid.”

Magistrate Alsop placed the accused on a 12 month CCO, ordered him to complete 150 hours of unpaid community service and disqualified his licence for a further three months.

“Your driving record is shocking,” he said, telling Lucas the only thing that had saved him from prison was his speed in the 10km to 25km range and no prior “driving while disqualified” offences.

“But, if you drive a car or a motorbike in Victoria while disqualified, the next step is prison,” Magistrate Alsop said. “Grow up son.”

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