Convicted Anzac Hwy street racer Jibran Zebian learns his fate

A pizza shop employee who street raced alongside a stranger on Anzac Highway at speeds of over 100 km/h in an “incredibly dangerous” act has learned his fate.

A pizza shop worker who engaged in an “incredibly dangerous act” by street racing with a complete stranger on Anzac Highway, reaching speeds of over 100 km/h, has avoided jail.

Jibran Zebian appeared before the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday to learn his fate after previously pleading guilty to street racing and breaching a condition of a provisional licence.

Zebian was one of two drivers stopped by police, who were conducting speed detection duties on Anzac Highway at Camden Park at around 9.50pm on October 11, 2021.

Jibran Zebian pleaded guilty to street racing. Photo: Facebook

The pair had raced for a distance of about 600 metres.

Zebian’s co-accused, Abed Alrahman Aljassar, 23, was allegedly detected travelling at 124km/h, while Zebian’s speed was recorded at 106km/h.

Mr Aljassar, of Mitchell Park, is also charged with street racing.

He is yet to enter a plea and will next face court in June.

On Wednesday, Magistrate Ben Sale said he was contemplating imposing a term of imprisonment for Zebian to send a strong message to young men, however admitted he was “in two-minds”.

“I am agonising because your client has committed in my view a serious offence, one that does, in my view, would fit the definition of driving at a speed or a manner dangerous to the public,” Mr Sale said.

“He’s not just using the streets as a racetrack metaphorically or figuratively – he literally is and he admits that – those things weigh heavily.

“On the other side of the scales, he’s a young man, otherwise of good character and it‘s a long time since the offences occurred and he hasn’t reoffended … I must admit I’m somewhat torn.

“On one hand I think it’s important to bring home to, particularly I think young men, that if you pull up next to the lights and start a conversation with somebody and engage in a street race, particularly if you significantly exceed the speed limit that you will expose yourself to prison, but I admit to you I’m in two minds about it.”

A police prosecutor confirmed it sought a term of imprisonment to send a strong message to the community.

“Deterring the public for offending is paramount to our submission, with the road toll as it is this year’s avoiding fatalities with dangerous driving is paramount concern,” the prosecutor said.

Sean Nottle, for Zebian, pushed for a good behaviour bond and said the court had other options.

“Clearly while Your Honour is agonising over that question (to imprison), I simply remind Your Honour there are a number of ways you can deal with Mr Zebian to reinforce that point beyond enforcing a term of imprisonment,” he said.

In sentencing, Magistrate Sale told Zebian he had “wrestled with the sentencing scenario” the young driver had presented.

“To your credit when you were spoken to by police, you didn’t lie, you admitted you had engaged in what was obviously a street race,” he said.

“You come before the court a very young man who has no prior convictions of any kind and this matter dated back to October 11, 2021, over 18 months old and you were 19 years of age at the time the events occurred.

“To impose a term of imprisonment I need to be satisfied that it is the only penalty that is justifiable or that it is required to protect the safety of the community, I do not consider that either of those tests are met.”

Magistrate Sale placed Zebian on a good behaviour bond for two years, ordered he attend and participate in drive safety courses and complete 50 hours of community service.

He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a drivers licence for 18 months.