Dylan John Newham jailed for 10 months for dangerous driving and banned from roads until December 2099
A hoon driver who has been jailed for his shocking high-speed police pursuits will have to live until the year 2100 to get back on the road.
Police & Courts
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A “stupid” and “dangerous” teenage driver who repeatedly tried to escape police and drove at more than 80km/h over the speed limit has been jailed – but his licence has already been suspended until the end of the century.
Dylan John Newham recently spent his 20th birthday behind bars at Mobilong Prison charged with offences including driving at extreme speed, driving while disqualified and driving dangerously to escape police pursuit.
On Monday, Magistrate John Wells said Newham’s driving showed a “clear disregard for the road rules” leading to him being a “clear risk to the community”.
During sentencing submissions last month the court heard Newham’s licence had been suspended by Transport Department August 8, 2022 to December 31, 2099.
Newham’s dangerous driving centred around the southern suburbs and started on May 26, 2022 when he was first pulled over driving while disqualified.
On July 7, 2022, he was detected driving at 141km/h in a 60km/h zone at Morphett Vale and four days later driving at 135km/h in a 60km/h zone.
Later that month Newham led police on a high-speed chase through the southern suburbs, reaching speeds of 120km/h in a 60km/h zone and driving around police spikes.
Newham abandoned his vehicle and fled before being arrested.
“This was a particularly dangerous episode, but still it did not deter you,” Mr Wells said.
On August 6, 2022, Newham was seen driving at dangerous speeds on a dirt bike. He drove on the sidewalk at times at well as on the wrong side of the road.
He eventually stopped outside a Huntfield Heights property where he was arrested.
Newham was again released on bail but in March 2023, while indefinitely suspended from driving he again took to the road and led police on a high-speed chase.
For half an hour Newham sped through the southern suburbs, reaching speeds of 117km/h in a 60 zone and driving on the wrong side of the road to avoid police.
Following his arrest, Newham was remanded in custody.
“In a flagrantly immature manner you decided you would do precisely what you wanted to do,” Mr Wells said.
“Too many people die on SA roads, too many people are injured.
“It is a matter of good fortune that you are still alive, equally, it is a matter of good luck that you have not killed anyone on the road.”
Peter Hill, for Newham, told the court his client was a trusted prisoner who was employed in Mobilong – but had been picked on behind bars, including being assaulted and having his personal possessions stolen.
Newham was sentenced to 10 months and 10 days in prison for all charges.
Mr Wells ordered Newham be released from custody after three months and 10 days in custody with the balance of the sentence suspended.
Mr Wells said he took into account Newham’s young age, previous minor criminal history and the sobering effect of being in prison for the first time.
“I’ve given you a real chance, I hope you understand that, if you reoffend in any way you will return to prison,” he said.
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