Fleeing teen’s bizarre excuse for high-speed car chase
A GOLD Coast teenager who led police on an “extraordinary” high-speed car chase at up to 170km/h through suburbia has blamed a fight with his mum for the behaviour.
Ronny Soul Ross pleaded guilty to six charges including dangerous operation of a vehicle and evasion when he appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday. The 19-year-old sat upright and faced the front of the court during his sentence while his mother sat anxiously behind him in the public gallery.
The court was told Ross refused to stop for police after they noticed he was driving a stolen car on Ross St, Ashmore, about 12.40am on March 31.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Jim Pedlow said Ross led police on a high-speed chase for seven minutes before officers called it off and the Polair helicopter crew took over.
Sgt Pedlow said the pursuit continued for 40 minutes until Ross’s vehicle was stopped by road spikes. Ross had travelled at up to 170km/h through suburban streets and “put the community at risk”.
The court was told that just minutes before the pursuit Ross had used a sledgehammer to break into a chemist and stole cash registers.
Defence solicitor Farshad Sarabi, of Hannay Lawyers, said Ross “acted out” after having a rare fight with his mother, his sole parent from birth.
He said his client worked part-time at a carpet cleaning business and he faced court without a criminal record.
He said since the offence Ross had cut ties with negative “contacts” and aspired to study engineering at university.
Magistrate Kerry Magee told Ross his behaviour was appalling.
Ross was fined $6672.50 and sentenced to 12 months of probation, 75 hours of community service and disqualified from driving for two years. A conviction was not recorded.