An L-plate driver who led police on a high-speed car chase through Harvey earlier this year was sentenced on Monday after being convicted of a string of charges, including reckless driving.
Bryce Graham Heard, 20, appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court via video from Albany Regional Prison where he has been in custody since August.
Heard pleaded guilty to reckless driving, speeding by more than 45km/h above the limit, failing to stop, altering a number plate, driving under suspension and possession of drug paraphernalia in relation to an August 3 incident that started at Harvey Dam.
The court was told Heard had been doing burnouts at the dam when police were called.
When officers arrived Heard sped away from them, reaching speeds up to 140km/h on Weir Road in an 80km/h zone, and then up to 160km/h through the Harvey townsite.
Police aborted the pursuit, but found Heard’s vehicle later that evening.
A subsequent search uncovered a smoking implement and a grinder containing traces of cannabis.
Heard, who was already under fine suspension, was also found to have altered the registration plate on his vehicle by scratching out part of the letter ‘O’ to make it look like a ‘C’.
His lawyer said Heard had been in an “emotional state at the time” and was very sorry.
Magistrate Evan Shackleton told Heard he had “selfishly put the lives of other road users at significant risk”.
Heard was imprisoned for 10 months, backdated to August 3.
He was made eligible for parole.
Heard was also fined $2900 and suspended from driving for a further two years.
