Casino‘s Terrance Charles Gregory Walker successfully appeals jail-term after chaotic ute police pursuit
A Richmond Valley man who went to prison after joy-riding in a stolen Toyota and hitting almost twice the speed limit has been released early. Here’s why.
Lismore
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A Richmond Valley man who went joy-riding in a stolen ute and hit almost twice the speed limit was sent to prison – but has now been released to serve a shorter sentence in the community.
Casino man Terrance Charles Gregory Walker, 28, faced Lismore District Court over videolink on Wednesday.
He appeared before Judge Jonathon Priestley to appeal the sentence handed down by Magistrate Michael Dakin on May 8.
Walker was jailed for two years with a non-parole period of 18 months and was due to be paroled on September 20 next year.
It came after Walker pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and not stopping during a police pursuit, receiving stolen property from outside NSW and driving while his licence was suspended.
The appeal was successful and Judge Priestley reduced the sentence from 24 months in jail to a 15-month intensive corrections order.
In March, police were told a Toyota HiLux stolen from Queensland was travelling south on Summerland Way at Wiangaree, towards Kyogle, about 2.40pm.
Police tracked the Toyota belonging to The Botha Family Group Pty Ltd using GPS and attempted to pull the vehicle over near Boorabee St.
Walker stopped for a short time, but sped off as officers walked to his vehicle.
He led police on a high-speed cat and mouse chase through Casino and neighbouring rural areas before police stopped him by laying road spikes on Spring Grove R.
Walker reached speeds of up to 175km/h and was clocked at 186km/h in a 100km/h zone, police state in court documents.
Under the new sentence, Walker must undertake 100 hours of community service work, abstain from alcohol and drugs and live in Casino, among other conditions.
Walker was also disqualified from holding a drivers licence for 12 months.
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