Tristan David Cabban: South coast man in court over not disclosing identity of a driver

A passenger in a wild Casino police chase which saw speeds over double the speed limit has faced court.

A man who was a passenger in a wild Casino police chase said he didn’t know the driver from a “bar of soap”.

South coast man Tristan David Cabban, 23, faced Kyogle Local Court on Thursday for not disclosing the identity of a driver to police.

Magistrate Kathy Crittenden said police were made aware of a car driving in an unsafe matter and became “concerned about public safety” on May 20.

Police initiated pursuit and the car, which contained five passengers, did not stop.

The court heard police followed the car onto Hickey St where Magistrate Crittenden said police saw the car accelerate to a speed of 110km/h in a 50km/h zone.

The road was wet and as police continued following the car, they saw the driver run onto the grass of Queen Elizabeth Park.

The five passengers then hopped out and began to run from police towards the river, the court heard.

Cabban, who was self-represented, said he had been working as a machinery driver recently, and met the men at a pub before he decided to jump in the car with them.

“I don’t know the boys from a bar of soap, “ he told the court, as to why he didn’t tell police the driver’s name.

Magistrate Crittenden said that police powers to request names are to make sure those who engage in such life-risking behaviour are “properly apprehended.”

She said this was “extremely important”, particularly given the manner of driving.

“That course of driving is potentially lethal for other members of the public,” she said.

“Once it happens it’s too late and people’s lives are changed forever.”

She convicted Cabban and ordered he pay a $400 fine.