A man who pursued a fuel thief has found himself in trouble with the law after reaching 185 km/h in a 60 km/h zone, but has avoided conviction.
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The 67-year-old pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court to reckless conduct endangering life in relation to the incident earlier this year.
The man was a truck driver and parked his prime mover near the intersection of Simpsons Road and Averys Road in Eaglehawk.
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One night he received a phone call from a person he knew, telling him that there was a vehicle parked near his truck.
The man drove there to investigate and saw the vehicle, and a person stealing fuel from the truck.
He tried to block the vehicle's driver's door with his vehicle, but pinned the person between the two.
He reversed and the other person took off in the vehicle.
The man pursued the person towards Bendigo, crossing onto the wrong side of the road and at one point reaching a speed of 185 km/h in the 60 km/h zone.
He called triple-zero and was advised to pull over and wait for police, which he did.
The man gave police footage from his dash cam, which showed his actions and the speedometer, including his speed.
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The person he pursued later presented at hospital with a leg injury and was told he needed surgery, but refused treatment.
The truck driver told police he slid in the gravel when trying to block the door to the vehicle.
Defence counsel Luke Docherty said the offending was out of character for his client, who had not been in trouble for more than 30 years.
Due to a mandatory driving ban, Mr Docherty said, the man would effectively have to retire.
He said the man stopped the chase when instructed.
He asked that magistrate John Doherty not exceed the mandatory minimum driving ban and deal with the offence with a financial penalty.
Mr Doherty fined the man $900 without conviction and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
