A magistrate has slammed a young woman for driving at 220km/h with passengers in her car and then uploading a video of it to social media, saying it was "sheer stupidity".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Claire Baylis appeared at Wagga Local Court on Wednesday for sentencing after pleading guilty to driving recklessly or furiously at a speed or manner dangerous.
The 21-year-old woman was driving north along Elizabeth Avenue, Forest Hill, about 4pm on October 2 with three passengers in the car.
One of the occupants filmed Baylis reaching 220km/h in a 100km/h zone, which Baylis then uploaded to her own Instagram account.
The incident was reported to police by someone who saw the video, and officers interviewed Baylis the following day.
Court documents reveal that Baylis told the police, "I wanted to see what top speed I could get in the vehicle", and she would not have attempted it if there were other cars around.
Her solicitor Zac Tankard said Baylis was described by references as a "promising" RAAF recruit.
"A spur of the moment decision is the most stupid dangerous criminal act that she has participated in," he told the court.
"Her career is now in jeopardy ... she has been suspended in her course, and she has lost a promotion.
"This has been a very costly decision for her."
N OTHER NEWS:
Mr Tankard acknowledged the severity of the offence, adding that Baylis was remorseful and had completed the traffic offenders intervention program.
"This offence has a real feel of immaturity and recklessness," he said. "We understand that it is a case where specific and general deterrence is a large matter."
Mr Tankard asked the court to consider the repercussions Baylis had already faced in her career when sentencing.
Magistrate Christopher Halburd said the case was a "mindboggling matter".
"It's something that is happening more and more," he said.
"People engage in dangerous acts of stupidity on the road, film them ... upload them on social media.
"The authorities always work out who it is ... she was very appropriately reported by someone else who became aware of it."
Magistrate Halburd said the people committing these acts need to be deterred from doing so, but acknowledged this seemed to be a "one-off" incident and that Baylis was spoken of in "glowing terms".
He considered Baylis' early plea, her remorse and the consequences she faced at work, but blasted her "absolute foolishness".
"This absolutely smacks of immaturity but also, with respect, sheer stupidity," Magistrate Halburd said.
Baylis was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order and must complete 100 hours of community service. She has also been disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters