Adrian Luke Thorne dragged cop Steven Wade along road in car
A P-plater who had only been on the road for a few months has been sentenced in court after he ‘panicked’ and hit the accelerator, before driving off with a police officer hanging out the car window.
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A young hoon who left a police officer “fearing for his life” after dragging him 200 metres along a road as he held onto the car window has narrowly avoided jail.
Adrian Luke Thorne, 19, was sentenced in Mt Druitt Local Court today after pleading guilty to dangerous driving in Bidwill on September 5, 2019.
Thorne had only held a P-plate licence for four months when he was caught doing burnouts at a known hoon hotspot on Tout Rd at about 10pm.
Police were called to the reserve after receiving complaints and attempted to pull Thorne over.
However, when Senior Constable Steven Wade approached the car and tried to seize the keys, Thorne hit the accelerator and drove off with the officer hanging out the car window.
Court documents showed Thorne reached a top speed of 50km/h and dragged the officer 200 metres before he was hit with a torch and pulled over.
Thorne told police he “panicked” when he saw police.
“(Thorne) did not know why he didn’t stop, but just panicked and was extremely apologetic,” police said.
Court documents showed the senior constable had “feared for his life”.
In sentencing today, Thorne’s defence said he had realised how “immature” he behaved that night.
“He admits his behaviour on that occasion was quite dangerous,” the defence said.
“He’s since sold his car so there will be no temptation for him to drive in the future.”
However, Magistrate Stephen Corry slammed Thorne’s actions.
“It could’ve ended much more tragically than what it did,” Mr Corry said.
“Fortunately, the officer was able to hold on and you eventually stopped.
“It’s a very serious offence and I don’t think you understood that.”
Mr Corry said Thorne’s young age was the only reason why he would not be sentenced to jail.
“You escalated the matter from something you would’ve got a ticket for to a matter I was today considering sending you to full-time custody for,” he said.
“If you were any older you’d be going to full-time custody today.”
Thorne was sentenced to an Intensive Corrections Order for seven months and was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.
He was disqualified from driving for three years.
He was also fined $400 for cannabis possession and received a further $400 fine for driving while suspended.