A Wagga magistrate has expressed concern that police pursuits are becoming "more and more prevalent" as he sentenced a Riverina driver to time in jail.
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Magistrate Christopher Halburd's comments were made when Tyson Lhurs appeared in Wagga Local Court via video link on Tuesday. He pleaded guilty to a police pursuit as well as the domestic violence offences of destroying or damaging property and contravening an apprehended violence order.
The 38-year-old was spotted by police getting into a ute with another man at a Leeton club.
As officers approached the car, the driver reversed the ute and sped off despite police activating warning signals for it to stop.
Lhurs started driving south on Currawang Avenue, reaching 80 km/h in a 50km/h residential zone with police giving chase.
He then turned right onto Irrigation Way and reached 140km/h in an 80km/h zone, overtaking two cars.
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As he approached Merungle Hill Road, Lhurs crossed to the incorrect side of the road and into the path of two oncoming cars which had to swerve onto the grass verge to avoid a crash.
Given the danger, police immediately terminated the chase but accessed CCTV footage from the club and identified Lhurs as the driver.
Solicitor Paul Keane said his client acknowledged he had done the wrong thing when it came to the pursuit.
"He put himself in that particular situation," Mr Keane said.
"He should not have been there. He should not have driven away, and he accepts that."
Mr Keane said Lhurs had fixed the damage inflicted in relation to the destroy or damage property charge.
He added his client suffers from a major depressive disorder.
"He will benefit from psychotherapy and psychological assistance going forward," Mr Keane said.
"Ultimately, he is an individual who needs assistance."
In handing down his sentence, Magistrate Christopher Halburd said Lhurs' record did not entitle him to any leniency. He added the charge of police pursuit was a "serious example" due to the speed.
"People need to understand if they are going to engage in police pursuits, they are almost invariably going to be caught," Magistrate Halburd said.
"It's becoming more and more prevalent, and it really does put people at risk of serious injury or death."
Lhurs was given a combined sentence of 12 months in prison, backdated to begin from the date of his arrest last year. He is eligible for release on June 18. Lhurs has also been disqualified from holding a driver's licence until April 27, 2023.
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