Driver fast, judge furious
A DEATH-WISH driver was nearly hit by a train in Geelong this week when he sped through a boom gate to getaway from police, a court has heard.
Allegations of Guy Burr’s “reckless” driving were aired in Geelong Magistrates’ Court when he applied for bail on Thursday.
Aided by custody officers, Burr, 24, hobbled into the dock on crutches, wincing in pain because of injuries suffered when he crashed at Whittington, where the pursuit ended.
Acting Sergeant Mark Thomas said Mr Burr, from Whittington, first came to police attention about 1.30am on Wednesday when he stopped at traffic lights on Barwon Heads Rd in Belmont.
Noticing there were different numberplates on the front of his vehicle than the rear, the officers tailed the man through suburban Belmont.
Police soon confirmed both numberplates were stolen, the court heard.
Sgt Thomas said Mr Burr accelerated on Torquay Rd when he realised he was being followed, and a police helicopter got involved in the operation.
The court heard the driver travelled north in the southbound lanes of the road, but stopped near the Settlement Rd intersection, threw the car into reverse, and took off at speed driving backwards. It was alleged he then spun his vehicle 180 degrees, mounted the median strip and again drove off on the wrong side of the road.
Sgt Thomas said police watched the driver approach a railway crossing as the boom gates lowered, and drive straight through “moments before” a V/Line train passed.
For the next 15 minutes the man allegedly drove recklessly through Belmont and Whittington trying to lose the police following him on the ground and in the air, the court hearing he ran red lights, sped and continued driving on the wrong side of the road.
The drama ended when the man tried to drive up a ped- estrian walkway in the Whittington Link, hit bollards, lost control of his vehicle and slammed into a power pole, the court heard.
Injured, he tried to run, but Sergeant Thomas said police officers caught him, and he was arrested, a flick knife found in his possession.
After being treated in hospital, the driver was interviewed Thursday morning, remanded and taken to court, where it emerged he’d never had a driver’s licence, and the vehicle he crashed was unregistered.
Mr Burr’s self-represented bid for bail got off to a poor start when he claimed he was needed at work, but couldn’t name his employer.
“It’s disgraceful behaviour … I don’t know why you even bothered to apply (for bail),” Magistrate Alan Spillane said.
The charges Mr Burr faces include three counts of exposing a police member to risk by driving, resisting arrest, handling stolen goods, driving without a licence, driving an unregistered vehicle and weapons possession. He will return to court October 15.