Driver is denied bail

Stolen car was on wrong side of highway, court told

A MAN is accused of driving a stolen car more than 6km on the wrong side of the Bellarine Highway as he sped from police in January.

Jackson Haberman, 19, was denied bail in Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday where it was revealed he was facing a litany of charges, including reckless conduct endangering life.

Police allege the Norlane man committed a series of offences around Geelong in the month leading up to the January 18 pursuit, including smashing cars and stealing others.

He is also accused of leading police on a separate chase through Geelong just hours before the Bellarine Highway incident.

Prosecutor Senior Constable Kerrie Moroney told the court police first tried to stop Mr Haberman driving through Corio on January 17, but he allegedly sped off at 100km/h in a 60km/h zone.

She said two drivers were forced to take evasive action as Mr Haberman allegedly drove on the wrong side of Anakie Rd and through a red light.

Police called off the chase before receiving reports about a suspicious car driving around Leopold about 1.15am.

When they arrived, they claim Mr Haberman sped off through residential streets before turning on to the Bellarine Highway.

After Mr Haberman allegedly drove 4.5km at high speeds along the wrong side of the road, police deployed stop sticks at Moolap. Sen-Constable Moroney said Mr Hab- erman continued to drive a further 1.6km on the wrong side of the road even though three tyres were punctured.

The car was eventually dumped outside the Peninsula Hotel before Mr Haberman and a co-accused were arrested nearby.

The court heard Mr Haberman was bailed twice in the weeks leading up to his arrest.

Sen-Constable Moroney strongly opposed bail.

The court heard from Mr Haberman’s father, who said he was welcome to live with him at his home in Newcomb if released on bail.

In pushing for bail, lawyer Christopher Edwards said his client had already spent threeand-a-half months in custody.

He argued it was unlikely Mr Haberman would be jailed for much longer than the time he has already spent behind bars, but magistrate Michael Coghlan disagreed.

In refusing bail, Mr Coghlan said it appeared Mr Haberman was willing to do “whatever it takes” to get away when confronted by police.

Mr Haberman will return to court next week.