Jared Steven Taylor jailed after 120km/h police chase through Bateau Bay
A bodybuilding influencer with more than 40,000 followers on Instagram fell off the wagon and descended back into drug use, leading police on a wild chase through the Central Coast.
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A bodybuilding influencer with more than 40,000 followers on Instagram fell off the wagon and descended back into drug use, leading police on a wild chase through the streets of Bateau Bay.
Jared Steven Taylor, 27, appeared in Wyong Local Court for sentencing last week and was jailed for an aggregate term of 12 months.
Taylor was driving on February 14 when he became involved in a police pursuit that lasted 8km through a number of suburban streets.
The court heard Taylor was travelling at 80km/h in a 50km/h zone, was recorded driving through Brooke Ave and Yangoora St, reached speeds of 120km/h, and had his headlights turned off.
When approaching a red light at the intersection of Brooke Ave and Eastern Rd, he proceeded through without stopping, made a right-hand turn, collided with a median strip, and then continued into Cresthaven Ave.
He was travelling at speeds of 100km/h before eventually turning into a dead-end street.
Taylor attempted to flee from police to avoid apprehension and was eventually arrested.
At the time of the offence, Taylor was suspended from driving.
Taylor’s lawyer told the court his client knows it only takes a second for someone to be killed in a police pursuit, and that he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
“No doubt he looks back on that terrible driving with regret, but also with a sense of relief that he didn’t get hurt, nor did anyone else,” the lawyer said.
He also told the court that Taylor’s upbringing exposed him to drugs, and that he had long struggled with substance use.
The court heard Taylor, who had previous drug issues, moved from Kew, a town on the Mid North Coast, to the Central Coast, and relapsed.
Magistrate Trevor Khan said that by breaching his orders, Taylor had effectively painted himself into a corner, and described the police pursuit as objectively serious.
Taylor told the court via video link that he was sorry for his actions.
“I am in deep remorse and realise what I have done wrong. I really want to get out of here and show the community that I can do the right thing,” he said.
Taylor will be eligible for parole after serving six months in jail and has indicated he will be appealing the sentence.
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