A man lost control of his car while evading police in Creswick, putting road workers at risk before crashing into trees, a court has heard.
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Anthony Bilston was sentenced at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Tuesday for the 'serious' driving offences committed in July 2019.
Only two months ago a roadside worker, a 59 year old Creswick man, was killed at Trawalla by a passing car in an unrelated incident.
Magistrate Ron Saines said Bilston knew police were trying to pull him over when he sped away and drove near road workers at a high speed in Creswick.
"The police finally caught up with you when you narrowly missed a minibus and crashed into trees," he said. "This could have been death or injury to you or other people and it is a serious matter."
Bilston was assessed for a community corrections order and justice plan. His lawyer said he had not committed further offending and had been on bail since December 24, 2019. She said Bilston's justice plan support was positive and he had stayed away from drug use.
The lawyer said Bilston was living with his mother in Wendouree and had completed the Court Integrated Services Program while on bail.
Mr Saines said it appeared Bilston had struggled with his disabilities.
He took into account Bilston had not reoffended since he had been living back with his mother and had engaged with court-based programs to deal with his drug use.
"It seems the court should deal with you by ways other than imprisonment," Mr Saines said.
Bilston was disqualified from driving for one year, the mandatory minimum period. He was sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order with the requirement he undergoes drug treatment and supervision.
He was also fined $1000 for the driving offences, including reckless driving endangering serious injury, unlicensed driving and drug driving. Bilston was also sentenced for theft committed in Mildura.
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