A man who crashed through the fence of a Canadian home and sent debris flying through the yard has been told his 'serious' offending was putting the community at risk.
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Thomas Dwyer, 22, pleaded guilty to 11 charges at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Thursday, including theft, failing to answer bail, evading police and dangerous driving.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Ben Jones told the court Dwyer failed to answer bail when he was released from custody after a serious crash in April.
The court heard Dwyer was driving in Canadian on April 4 when he cut off a vehicle and continued driving at a fast speed estimated to be between 80km/h to 100km/h in a 60km/h zone.
The vehicle then spun out of control, colliding with a tree and through the fence of a Clayton Street property.
Debris from the fence flew into the yard of the property and smashed a kitchen window, causing more than $8000 damage.
He is putting the community at risk... Someone could have been killed.
- Magistrate Letizia Torres
Senior Constable Jones said Dwyer approached the house owners to apologise and then fled on foot before police arrived.
He was later arrested at an address his friend, who had been in the vehicle at the time, provided to police.
The court heard Dwyer did not pay for $40 worth of fuel at a Deer Park petrol station in October.
On January 7 he was observed by police driving in Ballarat, and he drove away at a fast rate of speed when police activated their lights and sirens.
Dwyer was also charged with breach of a community corrections order.
He was arrested on Wednesday on warrant.
A Ballarat defence lawyer told the court it was Dwyer's first time in custody and the experience had been a 'shock'.
"His time in remand has been a huge wake up call," she said.
The lawyer said Dwyer was a youthful offender, meaning rehabilitation was the primary consideration.
The court heard he was experiencing health issues in his family and had the support of his father who wanted to help get his life back on track.
Magistrate Letizia Torres said Dwyer had committed repeated, serious offending that was putting the community at risk.
"He has had countless opportunities to address his behaviour and he hasn't," she said.
"He is putting the community at risk... Someone could have been killed.
"You have been doing this for a few years now without stopping. Something needs to change."
Dwyer was denied bail and will reappear at court next week for sentencing.
"The fact he is 22 is one of the few things I see as positive right now in terms of sentencing, and of course his family support," Ms Torres said.
"I am considering a combination sentence. I wouldn't raise his expectations he is coming out on Tuesday, but I haven't made up my mind yet."
Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
