A man who committed several offences, including assaulting a woman and dangerous driving, has copped a minimum six months in prison.
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John Williams, of Long Gully, pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court to 14 charges, including dangerous driving while being pursued by police, driving while disqualified, failing to stop a vehicle on request, driving an unregistered vehicle, fraudulently using registration plates, and forgery of an identifying number.
The court heard police saw Williams driving a car without registration plates in Long Gully late in the evening last May.
They activated the lights on their vehicle, but Williams accelerated and sped through a give way sign on Holdsworth Road, travelling at an estimated 80 km/h in the 50 km/h zone.
At the time, Williams’ licence was disqualified.
He told police he panicked because he was worried he would be “locked up”.
More court news:
In August, police pulled Williams over in Barrell Street, Long Gully in an unregistered vehicle bearing different registration plates at the front and back.
He said he knew the vehicle was unregistered and the plates false.
The following month, Williams assaulted a woman after she tried to talk about something he did not want to discuss.
He pushed her to the ground, grabbed her by the throat, and cocked his fist back as if to hit her.
A small child was reportedly highly distressed after witnessing the assault.
That same month, police saw a vehicle on Eaglehawk Road.
When the occupants became aware of police, a passenger jumped out and the vehicle sped off.
Police activated their lights and followed, and saw the car lose traction as it turned a corner at speed.
The plates on the vehicle were later found outside Williams’ home.
He was arrested, but denied knowledge of the incident and driving.
The court heard the offending was Williams’ second breach of a community corrections order.
Defence lawyer Kate Youngson said a report from support organisation ACSO was positive, saying Williams had engaged in a meaningful manner and was motivated to change.
If released, Ms Youngson said, Williams had somewhere to stay, a job available, and supports from ACSO.
But magistrate John Murphy expressed particular concern about Williams’ dangerous driving.
“Pick the paper up – little kids killed, wives killed, husbands killed,” Mr Murphy said.
He said Williams had already had “plenty of chances”.
Mr Murphy sentenced Williams to a one-year jail term, with a non-parole period of six months.
He had already served 118 days.
Williams was also fined $1500, and disqualified from driving for two years.
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