A BENDIGO man who was allegedly caught evading police while driving unlicensed has been denied bail.
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Grant Harrison, 32, made the application in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court this week after he was charged with offences including failing to stop on police direction.
The court heard about 3.15pm on December 19 last year, police saw Mr Harrison driving a green Holden Commodore south on View Street in Bendigo.
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Officers pulled behind the car and activated their lights and sirens, but Mr Harrison allegedly failed to stop and instead sped off.
Police alleged he continued down Mitchell Street and turned onto Wills Street, running through a red light.
Mr Harrison was allegedly disqualified from driving at the time and his car's registration plates were cancelled.
Police went to the 32-year-old's home on December 23 and charged him with the driving offences. He was bailed from the police station.
Officers also gave Mr Harrison a notice that he needed to surrender his car by January 3.
Police alleged Mr Harrison was seen driving the same Holden Commodore in Kennington on the afternoon of January 3.
He allegedly failed to surrender the vehicle and breached his bail conditions by driving a car.
The 32-year-old underwent a preliminary breath test, which showed no signs of alcohol.
But the court heard an oral fluid test allegedly returned a positive reading. A second drug test was yet to be analysed.
Mr Harrison's car was impounded and he was remanded in custody.
The police prosecutor told the court Mr Harrison should not be granted bail because he had more than a dozen prior convictions for driving offences.
The prosecutor said the 32-year-old was an unacceptable risk of reoffending.
Defence lawyer Christine Callaghan told the court Mr Harrison was willing to plead guilty to some of the charges but there were still some outstanding matters that needed to be discussed.
Ms Callaghan said Mr Harrison was self-employed, had stable accommodation, and was providing care to his terminally ill mother in Melbourne.
The defence lawyer said her client's mental health had deteriorated and he had not received any support while in custody.
Ms Callaghan said Mr Harrison's car had been impounded so there was no risk of him driving.
But Magistrate Patrick Southey said it was astonishing that the police granted Mr Harrison bail last month.
Mr Southey said the 32-year-old's prior criminal history showed he would continue to drive even though he did not have a licence.
"You insist on driving when you shouldn't," the magistrate said. "You're a danger to the public and an unacceptable risk.
"What were the police thinking in granting you bail?"
Mr Southey said he would refuse the "hopeless" bail application and instead remand Mr Harrison in custody.
The 32-year-old is due to return to the Bendigo Magistrates' Court later this month.
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