Bendigo probationary driver admits to speeding, driving dangerously

Marcus Ledwidge, 21, appeared at the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Thursday where he admitted to charges including drink driving and failing to stop.

The court heard about 3.30am on December 1, 2019, police saw Ledwidge parked in a white Holden Commodore at a service station in Berwick.

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Police entered the service station and Ledwidge sped off. Officers activated their lights and sirens but the 21-year-old did not stop.

The officers pulled out of the chase and alerted highway patrol of the incident.

The court heard Ledwidge sped down the Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road. He was caught travelling at 109km/h in a 60km/h zone and 140km/h in an 80km/h zone.

Police saw Ledwidge drive through three red lights and crash into a pole after failing to slow at a roundabout.

The court heard he regained control of the car and kept driving, travelling at an estimated 150km/h.

Police were eventually able to stop the 21-year-old and arrest him.

A preliminary breath test showed there was alcohol in Ledwidge's system. He was taken to the Narre Warren Police Station where an evidentiary breath test showed a blood alcohol reading of 0.22.

Ledwidge had a probationary driver's licence, meaning he needed to have a reading of zero.

The court heard Ledwidge told police he was aware officers tried to stop him. He said he sped off because he "really wanted to get home".

The 21-year-old told police he had consumed six or seven cans of watermelon cider that night.

Defence lawyer Robert Southgate told the court Ledwidge was a young offender who had not committed any further crimes since the dangerous driving incident.

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Mr Southgate said his client knew the behaviour was "atrocious" and that he was lucky he did not seriously injure anyone.

The defence lawyer said Ledwidge was employed and had a young family he wanted to support.

Mr Southgate said his client wanted to put the incident behind him.

Prosecutor First Constable Matthew Hendry submitted a community corrections order and a licence disqualification would be an appropriate sentence.

But Magistrate Rodney Higgins said that would be too lenient.

Mr Higgins indicated he would sentence Ledwidge to one month in jail with a substantial community corrections order. The 21-year-old would also lose his licence for two years.

"It doesn't give me any joy," Mr Higgins said. "But the speed you were doing was incredibly dangerous. I'm left with no alternative."

Mr Southgate said his client accepted the indication but would need a short adjournment to get his affairs in order.

Mr Higgins adjourned the sentencing to next month. Ledwidge was released on bail, with a condition to not leave the state.

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