‘At-risk’ driver jailed, fined and banned

A MAN who crashed into a parked car in Belmont was later nabbed giving a fake name and phone number to the victim.

Tyson Harrison yesterday pleaded guilty to driving offences committed between November 2017 and February 2018.

The Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard that, in one instance, the 24-year-old sped from police on the wrong side of the road through Whitting- ton. Officers were forced to stop the pursuit due to fears of public safety.

When being questioned by police more than a month later, Harrison said he just “wanted to get the car home”.

Yet only weeks after being charged over that incident, the father of three was back to more offending.

In the early hours of February 19, Harrison collided with a parked car outside a home in Belmont. When the car’s owner emerged from the property, Harrison told her his name was Tyson Woods, and gave her a mobile number that turned out to be disconnected.

He also removed his car’s numberplates before leaving the scene.

However, officers caught up to him later that day after receiving calls about a man passed out in a separate car in Leopold.

Harrison was arrested and found carrying a stolen GPS system along with a 15cm dagger in his underwear.

His lawyer told the court Harrison had been struggling with the drug ice, which — combined with his ADHD — had proven a “catastrophic mixture”.

On all the charges, Magistrate Peter Mellas jailed Harrison for nine months and fined him $1000. He also banned Harrison from driving for four years.

“You’re now starting to commit offences that are putting people at risk with your driving,” Mr Mellas said. “The sentence I impose has got to emphasise that there are consequences; you’ll lose your liberty.”

With time already served, Harrison will be due for release in October.