Timothy Michael Powell sentenced for hit-and-run and police pursuit at Grafton
Timothy Michael Powell has learned his fate after running over a man and a wild police chase that ended when a 4WD hit a tree. What the court heard.
Grafton
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A man who was yelling “hit me” was run over in the middle of the road - and then the driver attempted to evade police at speed through the main streets of Grafton, a court has heard.
Timothy Michael Powell, 40, was sentenced in Grafton District Court via audiovisual link on Wednesday after pleading guilty to four charges, including use of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, taking a conveyance without consent, and police pursuit driving dangerously.
He was sentenced to an aggregate jail term of three years and six months, with a non-parole period of one year and seven months.
The court heard Powell was having drinks with friends on Duke St in Grafton when an argument broke out, leading him to get into a friend’s 4WD and drive out towards Grafton Shopping World.
He then turned the vehicle around towards the victim, who had walked out in the middle of the road yelling “hit me”.
The court heard Powell drove straight at the victim in the belief he would scare him into jumping out of the way. He did not.
The victim was hit in the back, landing on the bonnet of the vehicle and sustaining a raft of injuries, including a broken wrist, ribs and spinal fractures.
A black 4WD was then seen heading southbound on Duke St by officers responding to triple-0 calls made by witnesses.
After not stopping for police lights, Powell cut corners at intersections and drove on the wrong side of the road as he accelerated northbound down Prince St.
Driving straight through the roundabout on Dobie St, the court heard Powell lost control of the 4WD and slid out before rolling the vehicle and striking a tree on the opposite side of the road.
He was arrested and taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital.
Judge Clive Jeffery, in sentencing remarks on Wednesday, noted Powell’s “deprived background” and that “he may not have the skills necessary to live a prosocial life in (the) community”, owing to the significant previous time he has spent in custody.
“In my view, there is a need for a long period of support in the community upon (Mr Powell’s) release”.
He will be eligible for parole in June 2023.
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