A DISQUALIFIED driver who revved his engine and took off from police as they tried to breath test him will spend at least 12 months behind bars.
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Kayne Kevin Healy pleaded guilty in Armidale Local Court to a string of charges stemming from the chase in the centre of Glen Innes on the morning of March 23.
According to police facts, highway patrol officers tried to stop Healy shortly after 9am in Gray St for an RBT.
As officers approached the vehicle, Healy revved the car and spun the back wheels before he drove off from police.
Officers initiated a pursuit as Healy sped through town, travelling well in excess of the 50km per hour speed limit.
Police said they were forced to take evasive action after Healy stopped and reversed before accelerating at officers.
The pursuit was terminated for safety reasons. Healy was identified and later charged by officers after he was arrested for a separate incident.
He appeared via video link in Armidale Local Court for sentencing and told the court “it’s not stolen”, after Magistrate Michael Holmes was shown photos of wires pulled down in the car.
You seem to continually offend.
- Magistrate Michael Holmes
Mr Holmes said Healy had “an appalling record” and had previously been convicted of a police pursuit.
“You seem to continually offend,” he said, telling the court he used the car as an “offensive weapon” to get away from officers.
“[You had] no regard to law enforcement officers who are attempting to stop you.”
He said the chase “put the community at risk”, and consequently, a jail term was warranted.
Solicitor Elizabeth Stahlut said her client had a history of “significant drug abuse”.
[You had] no regard to law enforcement officers who are attempting to stop you.
- Magistrate Michael Holmes
“This is the background to the offences,” she told the court.
The court heard Healy was already in custody after being sentenced for an Inverell-related offence, and wouldn’t be eligible for parole until at least mid-October.
Healy is already disqualified from driving until June, 2018.
Mr Holmes said Healy had “a serious history of offences against the community.
Healy was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for driving while disqualified, police pursuit not stop under Skye’s Law and using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention.
He will be eligible for parole after 12 months and has been disqualified for a further five years.
Healy was also convicted without further penalty for unlawfully possessing number plates, using an unregister and uninsured motor vehicle, while a charge of exceeding the speed limit by more than 30km per hour was withdrawn by prosecutors.