Youth gang getaway driver Daniel Artis receives home detention sentence for running down homeowner and driving away

He ran down a man while driving a youth gang away from a home invasion – but his own “scarred” childhood has seen a judge spare him a jail cell.

An adult, serial road traffic offender, who ran down and severely injured an innocent man while helping a youth gang flee a home invasion, will serve his sentence at home with his mother.

On Friday, the District Court refused to suspend Daniel Artis’ 27-month prison term and 13-month non-parole period, but said he did not have to serve it in prison.

Judge Heath Barklay said Artis was a person of “extreme emotional instability” who displayed “acting-up behaviours” when placed in “stressful situations”.

Artis, he said, was the adult in the car and, despite being on meth at the time “should have known better” – but did not, due to his “very difficult childhood”.

“You were introduced to drugs, and to crime, at a very young age by (a family member), and subjected to physical and emotional abuse from a young age,” he said.

“You were indoctrinated from a young age and hard-pressed to deal with the effects … it’s well-known trauma is an indelible scar on children … it does not diminish over time.

“Your very difficult childhood, to some extent, reduces your moral culpability.”

In March, and after several years of maintaining his innocence, Artis, 35, pleaded guilty to aggravated counts of theft and driving without due care.

He also pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident after causing harm by careless driving.

Daniel Artis Picture: Facebook

Artis has received a home detention sentence. Picture: Facebook

The charges arise from an October 2022 incident during which five youths, who were in Artis’ car, broke into a home on Frank Street, Marino and stole items.

When the owner gave chase, Artis ran him down, causing significant injuries to his legs, arms and neck.

Following his pleas, Artis conceded in court he had told a “pack of lies” to a forensic psychologist, about his offending, in order to “gild the lily”.

In sentencing, Judge Barklay said Artis had previous convictions for driving dangerously, to escape police pursuit, without due care, with excess blood alcohol and while disqualified.

He said that, despite a 2015 conviction for theft, he was satisfied Artis did not know the youths intended to rob the property before the incident occurred.

“Your victim has described the devastating impact your offending has had on him and his family,” he said.

“He has suffered physically, emotionally and financially … he is self-employed, was forced to close his business for almost 12 months, and he says it has never really recovered.”

Judge Barklay said a home detention sentence was appropriate given the rehabilitative programs Artis could access in the community, and his mother’s willingness to house him.