A Ballarat man accused of evading police and driving along the Bourke Street Mall tram tracks has walked free from jail.
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Magistrate Stella Stuthridge said Bryce O'Donnell placed innocent people at grave risk of serious injury.
His offending was a reminder of the Bourke Street tragedy four years earlier when six people died after James Gargasoulas drove through the Bourke Street Mall
O'Donnell, 20, was released from prison on Friday after receiving a sentence at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court of 278 days' imprisonment time already served.
These types of driving offences are a significant concern for parliament and the community because they are of such a high risk.
- Magistrate Stella Suthbridge
O'Donnell was driving a green Mitsubishi Lancer on Swanston Street about 4.55pm on January 28 when police officers attempted to stop him.
He evaded police and turned into Bourke Street Mall and drove along the tram tracks before crashing into a bollard near Myer.
A male passenger jumped out of the car and O'Donnell completed a u-turn and drove around a police car before speeding away erratically.
The incident caused pedestrians to jump out of the way and he narrowly avoided hitting police officers and cyclists.
No one was injured.
The car was later found stripped of its number plates in Albert Park.
O'Donnell was located and charged a week later.
Ms Stuthridge said during her sentencing remarks O'Donnell's driving was 'reckless'.
She said his offending was aggravated because O'Donnell had no licence and was on bail with a special condition not to drive.
"It is not an isolated incident, you have relevant recent priors," she said.
"These types of driving offences are a significant concern for parliament and the community because they are of such a high risk."
Defence lawyer Eleanor Millar said on Thursday O'Donnell panicked when police tried to intercept him and he did not intend to hurt people.
O'Donnell pleaded guilty to reckless conduct endangering serious injury, dangerous driving while being pursued by police, offending while on bail and other charges.
He also admitted stealing a car from the Crown casino car park on March 1 last year and stealing power tools, lawn bowls and a mobile phone from other cars.
Ms Stuthridge said she took into account O'Donnell's young age, plea of guilty at the earliest opportunity and difficult childhood when sentencing.
She said he had stable accommodation and good prospects of employment upon his release from custody.
O'Donnell will start a community corrections order upon his release, with requirements to complete 50 hours of unpaid community work and assessment and treatment for drug use.
"I put community work in there because I want you to have a bit more punishment when you get out and some control over what you do with your time," Ms Stuthridge said.
O'Donnell was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
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