The teenage driver who admitted failing to stop for police while travelling at more tham 100km/h in built-up areas has lost his weekend freedom for the next three months.
Al Jay Tennant, 18, appeared in the Masterton District Court yesterday, having earlier pleaded guilty to three charges of dangerous driving, two of failing to stop for police, three of driving while prohibited, one of stealing petrol from Caltex Solway and one of wheel spinning.
He was sentenced to three months' community detention, with a curfew from Friday at 7pm to Monday at 7am, six months' supervision, 80 hours' community work and was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay reparation of $86.88 to Caltex Solway.
Judge Tom Broadmore said Tennant's driving on June 21 and 23, which led to the charges, was appalling.
He said Tennant was wanted by police for driving while prohibited and wheel spinning outside McDonald's in Masterton on June 21 when he was spotted in his car by an off-duty police officer in Queen Elizabeth Park two days later.
When approached by police in the park, Tennant drove off at speed, Judge Broadmore said.
Not only did he drive through the park at 50km/h, when there was a 20km/h limit due to the number of families and children, he then drove in built-up areas of Masterton at 100km/h when the limit was 50km/h.
"You were putting the lives of innocent people at risk," the judge told Tennant.
Tennant's driving was so bad police gave up chasing him due to the danger it posed to the public, Judge Broadmore said.
Tennant's lawyer Ian Hard said his client was a young man who since being arrested had put steps in place to turn his life around. He had "done a couple of silly things" that he now regretted, Mr Hard said.
Police prosecutor Garry Wilson said irrespective of Tennant's age his driving needed to be denounced. "The community needs assurance that this sort of driving will not be tolerated."