Crash car’s owner guilty

THE owner of a car involved in a collision with a power pole has fronted court charged with failing to provide the driver’s details to police.

Michael Gliddon, 34, of Purnell Rd, Corio, pleaded guilty in Geelong court yesterday to the charge.

The police prosecutor, Sgt Anne McKeon, said that on May 28 last year, Gliddon’s car crashed into a power pole in Hendy St, Corio.

‘‘When police arrived, Gliddon presented himself as the car’s owner and produced paperwork to prove it,’’ Sgt McKeon said. ‘‘He denied being the driver and failed to provide police with details of the person behind the wheel at the time.’’

Sgt McKeon said a witness later came forward to police and described the clothes worn by the driver, which matched those worn by Gliddon.

Shane Balkin, for Gliddon, told the court his client did not have a driver’s licence.

‘‘His life is always in a state of chaos,’’ Mr Balkin said. ‘‘He was stabbed a few months ago and had his house burnt down recently – it’s a real tale of woe.’’

Mr Balkin said Gliddon, who has an extensive criminal history, was on a disability pension as well as the methadone program.

Magistrate Ian von Einem convicted Gliddon and sentenced him to two months’ jail, suspended for 12 months. He was disqualified from driving for two years.