Operation TORIC: Kynan John Mittl sentenced for Canberra police pursuit

A man who led police on a pursuit through Canberra that ended in a crash has told a court he believed plain-clothed officers were going to rob him before the chase.

A man became ‘scared’ when plain-clothed police officers approached him in the middle of the night, leading to a pursuit through Canberra that ended with a crash, a court has heard.

Franklin man Kynan Mittl, 28, faced the ACT Magistrates court for sentencing on Wednesday after pleading guilty to aggravated furious driving, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving an uninsured vehicle and driving while disqualified.

The charges relate to a police pursuit on October 13 last year which ended when Mittl crashed his Holden Ute into a power pole at Evatt.

Mittl’s lawyer Jeremy Banwell from Legal Aid told the court Mittl had stopped his car on the side of the road in Flynn with its hazard lights on when plain-clothed police officers approached him.

The statement of agreed facts stated police officers approached Mittl at 11.08pm as his ute did not have registration plates.

Kynan Mittl has been sentenced for his role in a dramatic police pursuit. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

“Mittl thought it was someone coming to rob him,” Mr Banwell said.

“He drove off, and then police turned on their sirens.

“That fear motivated this behaviour.”

Mr Banwell said his client acknowledged beginning a pursuit after police activated their sirens was the wrong thing to do.

The statement of agreed facts state after police attempted to approach Mittl he reversed the ute, did a three point turn, and turned on to Kingsford Smith Dr.

The document states Mittl drove through suburban streets in Melba well in excess of the speed limit.

During the pursuit, police used tyre deflation devices at Spence, however this did not deter Mittl who drove on the opposite site of the road on Owen-Dixon Dr as the tyres continued to deflate, driving until he crashed at 11:13pm.

The lawyer said Mittl was born and raised in Canberra with a normal family life despite his parent’s separation, and had issues with drugs and alcohol since his teen years.

He told the court his client had spent 91 days in prison, and had been clean during his time in custody and had been medicated for his anxiety issues.

Mr Barnwell said after his release Mittl wishes to move up to Queensland to live with his father and to cut ties with anti-social contacts in Canberra.

Prosecutor Brandon Perkins said further jail time was appropriate due to the seriousness of the crime.

He also told the court Mittl had almost finished his suspended sentence at the time of the offending.

Magistrate Glenn Theakston ultimately sentenced Mittl to 9 months jail backdated to October.

Mr Theakston said after serving five months jail Mittl will be released and will sign a 12 month good behaviour order.

He fined Mittl $1300 and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.

Mittl will be released from custody on March 12 2023.