Victoria Park driver allegedly fleeing police is refused bail

Trent Bunney, 28, allegedly drove through a red light at one of Ballarat's most busiest intersections and forced pedestrians, including a woman pushing a pram, to take evasive action to avoid being hit.

The Wendouree man was released from prison less than two months before the incident and his learner's permit was allegedly disqualified.

He applied to be released on bail at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Steve Kent said police attempted to intercept a silver Pajero, which was towing a trailer, on Gillies Street, Wendouree, about 7.38am on February 17.

He said the driver evaded police by driving through a red light at the intersection of Sturt Street and Gillies streets, Alfredton, and entered Victoria Park.

A driver of a Landcruiser had to brake heavily to avoid a collision.

Police stopped the chase due to safety concerns but they received information at 7.50am the Pajero had become bogged in Victoria Park.

Leading Senior Constable Kent said police saw the Pajero travelling on walking tracks, forcing two pedestrians to take evasive action to avoid being hit.

He said after driving on walking tracks near Gillies Street, the driver went down Elm Avenue and drove on another walking track which caused one of the pedestrians to jump out of the way.

The prosecutor said a woman pushing a pram had to take evasive action, with the Pajero missing her by half-a-metre.

He said the Pajero started to slow down and the trailer was swaying from side-to-side. The vehicle eventually stopped in Park Street.

Leading Senior Constable Kent said the driver was taken to the ground and he was arrested before he was identified as being Trent Bunney.

He said 14 Xanax tablets, 30 millilitres of liquid believed to be GHB, a flick knife and Stanley knife were found in the Pajero. Bunney refused to be interviewed by police.

Police opposed bail due to Bunney's alleged attempts to avoid police.

"It was sheer good fortune a member of the public wasn't hurt," Leading Senior Constable Kent said.

"The accused is an unacceptable risk of endangering the safety and welfare of any person, including himself, the public and police. He has a proven history of engaging in dangerous conduct especially driving a car."

The court was told Bunney had 30 pages of driving while disqualified prior convictions.

Bunney's partner gave evidence in support of his bail application. She said she had been in a relationship with Bunney since he was released from prison on December 22.

She said she did not see Bunney about five to seven days before the alleged offending and she suspected he had returned to drug use.

Defence lawyer Manny Brennan said Bunney's plan to live with his partner was "as good as it gets" as opposed to residential rehabilitation because Bunney experienced transience.

"He has asked for drug screens to keep him on the straight and narrow," Mr Brennan said.

He said there were trialable issues in the prosecution case including there was no evidence of the woman pushing the pram and Bunney missing her by half-a-metre, the second pedestrian stepped out of the way and Bunney was sounding his horn to warn pedestrians.

Mr Brennan said his client's time on remand may exceed a sentence and there was no drug treatment in prison.

Magistrate Letizia Torres said the nature of the offending was very serious and the prosecution case was strong.

She said Bunney had a significant relevant criminal history and when released from prison, he had a clean slate, a partner and an employment opportunity but he could not make it work.

The magistrate said she was not satisfied Bunney had shown compelling reasons and his bail application was refused.

Bunney has been charged with reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, dangerous driving while being pursued by police, possessing a drug of dependence, possessing a controlled weapon and other traffic offences.

He will return to court for a further mention at a later date.

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