Costa Stavrakas sentenced for dangerous driving during Botany street race

A young apprentice plumber was caught travelling more than double the speed limit during a dangerous motorcycle street race in south Sydney. Find out what police radars clocked.

Costa Stavrakas, 21, road danerously during a motorcycle street race, eraching speed of up 200km/h in Botany. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A young apprentice plumber has avoided jail after speeding almost 200km/h during a motorcycle street race in south Sydney while on his P-plate licence.

Costa Stavrakas, 21, appeared in Sutherland Local Court on Thursday, where it was revealed he committed 15 other traffic infringements, mainly for speeding in the short time he had been driving.

Agreed facts tendered to the court said Stavrakas, who lives in Monterey, was riding his black Yamaha RJ 1000cc motorcycle in Botany about 8.40pm when police spotted him and another rider on September 10 this year.

Traffic and Highway Patrol officers estimated they were travelling about 90km/h.

They continued to ride next to each other, and when they got to a boat ramp access road, they looked at each other and started to race.

Costa Stavrakas committed 15 other traffic infringements mainly for speeding in the short time he had been driving. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

The riders accelerated harshly to speeds of about 200km/h in a signposted 80km/h.

Police caught up to Stavrakas doing 180km/h before they indicated for both riders to pull over.

They both slowed, Stavrakas stopped, but the other rider accelerated away, and officers started a pursuit.

Officers went to Stavrakas’ home the next day and interviewed him, where he admitted to being the rider and participating in the street race.

Stavrakas admitted to travelling 180km/h and accepted he was not displaying his P-plates.

He told police he knew he was not allowed to drive his motorcycle because it was too powerful and had previously been issued a fine.

Stavrakas’ licence was also suspended, and the number plates were removed.

Stavrakas was charged with driving recklessly/furiously or in a speed/manner dangerous, organising a race between vehicles, being a P1 licence holder riding a motorcycle of more than 660cc, and not displaying P-plates.

A few weeks later, he was caught driving a motor vehicle while his licence was suspended.

The court heard Stavrakas became a construction labourer after leaving school before he became an apprentice plumber.

Stavrakas avoided jail when he was placed on a custodial sentence to be served in the community.

Stavrakas’ lawyer Mr Papanicolau said his client had not informed his employer about the offence and was worried how a disqualification would affect his job because he wouldn’t be able to drive to work sites.

Mr Papanicolau noted his client stopped when requested by police and admitted his actions.

The court heard Stavrakas also had a criminal conviction for driving while unlicensed and a “major problem with speed”.

Mr Papanicolau said Stavrakas took out a loan to buy the motorcycle, and when he was charged, his mother confiscated the keys and will sell it once the number plates are returned.

He added Stavrakas had made a further “stupid decision” to drive while disqualified.

Mr Papanicolau said Stavrakas was remorseful and had completed the traffic offenders program.

Magistrate Phillip Stewart said Stavrakas’ “actions were dangerous to the public”, and his traffic record was “atrocious” and showed his “propensity for speed”.

“There can be no doubt the seriousness of the dangerous driving matters were particularly high, and there was potential risk of endangering people on the road,” he said.

Mr Stewart took into account his age, his prospects of rehabilitation and his parental support.

Stavrakas was convicted and fined $1600, and sentenced to an intensive corrections order to be served in the community for six months.

He was disqualified from driving for 18 months and must complete 50 hours of community service.