A P-PLATE driver who led police on a high-speed pursuit near Gunning, reaching speeds of up to 220 km/h, has been sentenced him to 16 months in prison.
Police told the court the man was caught driving again within 12 hours of being granted police bail following the pursuit, on June 17.
Jonathan James Oberthur, 38, of Fisher St, Oak Flats, pleaded guilty to police pursuit not stop, driving dangerously, driving a motor vehicle while his driver’s licence was suspended and operating a motor vehicle while its number plate was confiscated, when he appeared by audio-visual link into Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday.
Police facts tendered in court said at 12.49am on June 17 the Highway Patrol were conducting speed enforcement duties on the Hume Highway near Gunning, when they observed a black Holden Commodore travelling south well above the posted speed limit of 110 km/h. Police Lidar clocked the vehicle travelling at 175 km/h.
Police entered the roadway and attempted to catch up to the vehicle, which they said was then travelling in excess of 220 km/h. A pursuit was initiated.
Police caught up with the vehicle near Oolong Rd, Gunning, where it took a u-turn and travelled in a northerly direction at speeds in excess of 170 km/h.
After a further chase, the car pulled over to the left and Oberthur got out and stood behind the vehicle. Police handcuffed him and placed him under arrest.
Oberthur produced a provisional driver’s licence. Police checks revealed it had been suspended from February 10 until August 9, 2016 for a speeding offence from July 16, 2015.
He was arrested and police granted him bail, with conditions including that he was not allowed to operate a motor vehicle. The registration plates were also seized from the car.
Then, at 11.20am on the same day (June 17), police were advised that the vehicle was no longer at the location where it had been stopped.
At 11.30am, Oberthur was again spotted driving the Commodore on the Hume Highway near Yarra. Police activated a siren and observed Oberthur’s vehicle pull over into the breakdown lane.
Police said Oberthur exited the car. When asked why he had removed the car he explained : “I just bought the car for $6000. I can’t afford a tow truck and I didn’t want to leave it on the side of the road.”
They arrested him again and placed him in custody.
In court on Wednesday, Oberthur’s solicitor said his client had a “brain explosion” in relation to the offences.
“He went back to get his car because he thought it was his only option,” the solicitor said.
“Being in jail has scared the hell out of him.”
Magistrate Carolyn Huntsman said they were “most serious offences.”
“While on bail you returned to move your car. You walked for four hours out to the highway to get your car as you were not prepared to leave it there,” she said.
“It was foolish and showed disregard for your conditional liberty on bail.”
She sentenced him to 16 months in prisonment with a non-parole period of 12 months. She also disqualified him from driving for three years.