Troy Gary Wilson jailed for six years with four years to serve for high-speed chase through suburbs, cricket match

A judge has sent a serial hoon driver with a history of sparking police chases to jail – and says he would be serving 13 years had he not apologised.

A driver with an “appalling” history of causing high-speed pursuits will spend at least four years behind bars for a “terrifying” chase through both the suburbs and a cricket match.

Troy Gary Wilson showed little reaction as the District Court on Wednesday jailed him for six years, with a four-year non-parole period, and banned him from driving for four years.

Judge Geraldine Davison said Wilson’s latest high-speed chase ended only because, after repeatedly ramming civilian and police cars, he had “destroyed” his stolen vehicle.

She said his litany of offending would have warranted a 13-year term if not for his guilty pleas, apologies and determination to kick his drug habit.

“It seems that, when you are pursued by police, your first instinct is to outrun them – and you do so even if there’s significant danger to others, police or yourself,” she said.

“CCTV footage of the chase shows your terrifying and wanton disregard for the safety of members of the public … it’s horrifying to watch.”

Wilson, 31, of West Hindmarsh, pleaded guilty to seven charges ranging from stealing a car through to deliberately driving at pedestrians.

Police are seen arresting a man at Brompton on Sunday, May 1, 2022. Picture: Nick Blain

He was arrested following a police pursuit in May 2022 that started at Largs Bay, wound through the northern suburbs and ended at Bowden.

Wilson drove a stolen Holden Calais into multiple cars and people, including a police officer, and through an in-progress cricket game.

In sentencing on Wednesday, Judge Davison said there was considerable “tragedy” in Wilson’s past, given he had been hooked on drugs since 14 and spent most of his life in jail.

She said neither that nor the likely drug psychosis he was suffering at the time of the chase – including paranoid delusions – could offset the seriousness of his conduct.

“Your defence counsel described your driving as being ‘of an outrageous nature’ … you destroyed the car that had been stolen,” she said.

“In your apology, you said drug use was the root of your criminal behaviour and that you are ashamed at the harm caused to all the people affected.

“Your driving was reckless and put many innocent road users in danger.”

Wilson will be eligible to seek release on parole from June 24, 2027.