William Healy sentenced at Hornsby after police pursuit in Wahroonga

A P-plater led police on a pursuit through Wahroonga, speeding through red lights and going 110km in residential zones. See why he “panicked”.

William Healy outside Hornsby Local Court.

A young Hornsby man feared his license would be stripped when police saw him speeding – so he made a dash in the hopes he could evade the law.

William Healy, 21, pleaded guilty to police pursuit, did not stop – drive dangerously, exceed speed (above 30km – estimated), not stop at red light, not stop at stop line, drive with illicit drug present in blood and exceed speed (above 20km).

Healy was supported by his mother at Hornsby Local Court on May 3.

Facts state the warehouse worker was driving from his friend’s house at 2am when he was spotted speeding 93km/h in a 60km zone on December 17 last year.

The court heard Healy reached 110km/h in a 60km residential zone.

Lawyer Ibrahim Marwan Sweedan told the court Healy panicked, fearing he would lose his license and slowed to 24km/h before making the costly decision to make a dash at Wahroonga.

Police estimate Healy reached 110km/h in a 60km residential street, speeding through a red light, two stop lines and speed bumps, according to facts.

Facts state police lost sight of Healy before cornering him at a cul-de-sac on Eastern Rd.

The pursuit lasted seven minutes, as heard in court.

Healy tested positive to cannabis and told police he fled because he “didn’t have many demerit points left”.

Mr Sweedan told the court Healy had since learned from the “serious lack of judgement”.

“He’s lucky he wasn‘t involved in an accident – or died,” he said.

Hornsby courthouse.

The court heard Healy was otherwise of good character and had since taken steps to learn from his mistakes, having undertaken the Merit program and attended therapy.

Mr Sweedan said Healy understood the seriousness and danger he imposed.

“He now knows there’s a max penalty of two years in jail for a matter of this nature,’ Mr Sweedan said.

Magistrate Michelle Goodwin said Healy’s mother may have received “a far worse phone call”, had he killed himself or someone else.

William Healy leaving Hornsby Courthouse.

“How could he not have known the ramifications after being involved in a police pursuit?” Ms Goodwin said.

She described it as “unfortunate” that Healy found himself in court and considered the young man’s “genuine remorse”.

Ms Goodwin acknowledged the steps Healy had taken to address the underlying issues.

Considering the guilty pleas, efforts in rehab and age, Ms Goodwin sentenced Healy to a two year community corrections order.

Healy was disqualified from driving for two years and fined $1200.