Bailey Pratch sentenced to prison for police chase through Macquarie Fields streets

A southwest Sydney man has spent his 21st birthday behind bars after leading police on a wild pursuit through a reserve and school zone while children were around.

A southwest Sydney man celebrated his birthday in prison after he tried to evade police by driving unlicensed through a park and school zone while children were around.

Bailey Pratch, of Ingleburn, appeared in Campbelltown Local Court via AVL just two days after turning 21-years-old behind bars, pleading guilty to driving recklessly in a police pursuit, never being licensed, using an unregistered car and resist police.

The 21-year-old was driving a Suzuki Liana along Rosewood Dr on March 3 about 3.10pm when police noticed the car had been unregistered since January 29, according to court documents.

Bailey Pratch spent his 21st birthday behind bars for taking police on a wild pursuit. Picture: Facebook.

Police followed Pratch into Blackwood Crescent with their lights and sirens on but he failed to stop.

A pursuit commenced and Pratch drove the car off the road onto Flume Reserve as police followed and called for backup.

According to police facts, Pratch drove through the reserve onto Eucalyptus Drive and entered a school zone in front of Curran Public School where he drove at 60km/h.

Pratch came to a stop at the end of Coolabah Place and ran out of the car down an alleyway, leaving three passengers behind.

Police caught up with him and three officers attempted to grab onto the 21-year-old to pull him to the ground but he resisted by throwing his arms around.

“At the time of the pursuit a number of local schools had just finished for the day and students were making their way home,” court documents state.

“His actions put the safety of the public and his passengers at great risk.”

Bailey Pratch, 21, will be in prison until August. Picture: Facebook.

Magistrate George Breton said the offending was “quite serious” and said the three passengers aggravated the matter.

The court heard Pratch had resorted to drugs and alcohol following the split from his former girlfriend.

“It’s something he can control but clearly hasn’t because he broke up with his partner and lapsed back into drug use straight away,” Magistrate Breton said.

“The worst thing you can do for yourself if things get hard is go back to the use of drugs.”

Magistrate Breton said Pratch was naive as he didn’t “care about anything or think about the consequences of his actions”.

Pratch was convicted of all charges and sentenced to prison for 10 months beginning on March 3, with a non-parole period of five months, meaning he will be released on August 2.

He was also sentenced to a Community Correction Order for a period of 18 months to commence on April 19.

There were multiple supporters for the 21-year-old, including his mother who burst into an outrage when she realised her son would stay behind bars.

“That’s f**ked up, f**king rats,” she exploded.