Man takes bike on a 105km/h 'squirt'/AUS

[PeteSC]

Man takes bike on a 105km/h 'squirt'
Tuesday, 7 June 2005

A MAN who led police on a dangerous pursuit through Goulburn on a motorcycle, reaching speeds of up to 105km/h, has been disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined $700.

Anthony Paul Whittington, 30, a youthworker, of Vogelsang Pl, Flynn, ACT pleaded guilty in Goulburn Local Court last Wednesday to charges of driving in a manner dangerous, possessing a prohibited drug (cannabis), being an unlicensed motorcycle rider, and entering enclosed lands without a lawful excuse.

Police said that between 8.58am and 9.03am on May 1 this year, Whittington was observed by police travelling west at 105km/h in a 50km/h zone in Howard Boulevard.

He turned north at Gibson St, looked back at police, who had their siren activated and then accelerated.

He turned right into Mary's Mount Road, then left into Yarralow St where he slid sideways across the road, then right into Reign St, then right into Ross St, and right into Queen St where he reached speeds of 100km/h in a 50km/h zone.

He rode into McDermott Drive, past the NSW Police College, where more cars joined the chase.

At this point, police observed the rear tyre of the motorcycle was shredding and the steel belt was whipping Whittington's back and cutting into it.

Whittington then rode into Neville St, East Buffalo Crescent, Gibson St, Kinghorne St, and Fitzroy St with police in hot pursuit.

He took the Deccan St roundabout on the other side, before proceeding to Clinton St, Addison St, and College St where the back tyre on the motorcycle deflated and he fled on foot through the backyards of various houses.

He emerged onto Deccan St and was arrested.

He was taken to Goulburn Police Station where he made full admissions in an interview. They found 5.13g cannabis in his possession, to which he admitted ownership.

The defence solicitor said the pursuit was out of character for his client, who was a full-time youthworker and responsible member of the community.

He said Whittington grew up in Crookwell and was well known there.

He said the day and night before he had been at 30th birthday celebrations, which had involved adventure sports such as skydiving and paint ball.

He said a friend who owned the motorcycle had fallen asleep on the minibus and Whittington took it upon himself to return the bike to his friend's house.

"He was only a few blocks from the house when he decided to give the bike a squirt," the solicitor said.

"He came under notice of the police and panicked."

Magistrate Rob Rabbidge said it was extraordinary to read the facts and that he was "flabbergasted" at the events considering Whittington's otherwise good character.

He disqualified him from driving for 12 months, placed him on a section-nine good behaviour bond for 12 months, and fined him a total of $700.

At this point, police observed the rear tyre of the motorcycle was shredding and the steel belt was whipping Whittington's back and cutting into it.