Driver took off ‘without thinking’

A driver’s decision to speed away from police, instead of stopping, put people in danger, a community magistrate has said.

Benjamin Te Aokapua Pihama admitted in court he had ‘‘freaked out’’ at the thought of being banned from the road again.

‘‘When you don’t stop you actually put the police force in danger, along with yourself and members of the public,’’ Robyn Paterson told Pihama during Wednesday’s hearing in the New Plymouth District Court. Sergeant Craig Jones said Pihama had been disqualified from driving since March 1 this year.

On July 9, about 3.20am, Pihama was observed by police on Liardet St ‘‘revving his engine’’.

An attempt was made by officers to stop the defendant’s car on Devon St East but he revved his engine again and took off.

Jones said Pihama was pursued by police to Gill St, but the defendant had reached a top speed of about 100 kilometres per hour in a 50kmh zone. ‘‘The pursuit was abandoned due to the defendant’s excessive speed,’’ Jones said.

During his court appearance, Pihama was full of apologies for what happened. He earlier pleaded guilty to charges of driving while disqualified and failing to stop for red and blue flashing lights.

Pihama explained he had offered to be the sober driver for friends, despite the fact he was banned from driving and knew if he was caught out he would lose his licence again. ‘‘I’m sorry for the mistakes I have made,’’ he said. ‘‘I did freak out. I just took off without thinking.’’ But Paterson wasn’t convinced. ‘‘Look up what mistakes mean in the dictionary. They’re not mistakes, they’re actions,’’ she said of his offending.

Pihama was convicted on both charges and ordered to pay a $500 fine, plus $130 in court costs. He was disqualified from driving for nine months.