A 20-year-old Kimberley man who tried to evade police during a high-speed pursuit through the streets of Broome with juveniles in the vehicle, has been sentenced to nine months jail.
Sandimar Peel appeared before Broome Magistrates Court on September 2 via video link from custody after pleading guilty to a string of burglary and dangerous driving charges.
The court was told between 1.30am to 2.30am on March 24 last year, Broome police engaged in pursuit of a stolen vehicle travelling north on Port Drive in Broome, where Peel was driving dangerously up to speeds of 130km/h in a 70km/h zone.
Peel led police through the town centre via Frederick Street in the stolen vehicle — filled with juvenile co-offenders — while bottles were thrown at the police vehicle.
The chase intensified as Peel drove up to 110km/h on Gubinge Road and then on the wrong side of Old Broome Road, where police disengaged the pursuit.
Shortly after, police re-engaged and found the stolen vehicle dumped near the cemetery, where police found the accused hidden in grassland.
The pursuit lasted about 23 minutes.
During Peel’s sentencing, police prosecutor Micheal Gregg noted the 20-year-old’s current and previous offending was almost always with juveniles.
Defence lawyer Sam Naylor said his client had a history of alcohol misuse and engaging with bad influences, particularly with juvenile offenders.
Magistrate Deen Potter sentenced Peel to nine months jail for dangerous driving to escape police pursuit, backdated to April 2, 2024, with eligibility for parole.
Peel was also fined $6550 for aggravated failing to stop and stealing charges, plus court costs, and received two driver’s licence disqualifications, each lasting two years to be served concurrently.