Garrett Goff sentenced for high-range drink driving police pursuit at Ramsgate

An aircraft refueller sobbed as he was punished for driving while five times the legal alcohol limit during a dangerous Sydney cop chase - in which he nearly ran down a pedestrian.

Garrett Goff will be released from prison after serving three months for a high-range drink driving police pursuit. Picture: Supplied

A Sydney father who works as an aircraft refueller will be released from jail after serving three months for driving at five times the alcohol limit during a police chase.

Sutherland Local Court was told a pedestrian had to run out of the way of Garrett Armando Goff’s car during the wild pursuit in the city’s south.

The 53-year-old was sentenced on Thursday after he unsuccessfully applied to have charges dealt with on mental health grounds late last year.

Goff, who the court heard works with aircraft, pleaded guilty to police pursuit, driving while licence cancelled and disqualified, high-range drink driving and not disclosing his disqualification.

The Kogarah dad-of-two was driving a black Ford Ranger with a passenger on Rocky Point Rd in Ramsgate shortly before midnight on October 20, agreed facts tendered to court state.

A police car travelling behind noticed the Ford moving at an inconsistent speed between 40-50km/h, swerving between lanes.

Garrett Goff was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court.

Police switched on lights to pull Goff over for a random breath test. Goff came to a stop, but drove off when an officer got out of their vehicle.

Police followed with lights activated before Goff turned into Garrigarang Ave.

Officers signalled for him to pull over and eventually Goff turned into a unit complex.

An officer made moves to get out of the car again and Goff continued driving. Police officially initiated a pursuit.

Goff drove on Philips Rd, approached the intersection of Rocky Point Rd – went through a red traffic light – and continued travelling for a time until he finally stopped the Ford.

He blew a reading of 0.253 – more than five times the legal blood alcohol limit, and Goff was driving on a cancelled license.

Goff has a terrible driving history dating back to 2006 – when he was convicted of high range drink driving.

He was again detected high-range in 2013, and ended up serving a jail-term in the community for dangerous driving in 2021.

Just 16 days after Goff was sentenced in 2021, he applied for a licence and did not admit to being disqualified on the form.

Goff said he started drinking after losing connection with his biological dad in 2006.

He said his marriage broke down in 2021, he lost his business and was badly assaulted in 2023. Each time, he turned to alcohol to cope, the court was told.

Goff was diagnosed with severe alcohol abuse disorder and the court heard he could attend an intensive rehabilitation program for treatment.

Magistrate Philip Stewart rejected submissions Goff’s crimes did not warrant prison.

He said the public faced significant risk and Goff - who sobbed during sentencing - had an “appalling traffic and criminal record”.

Mr Stewart said the offending was a “continuation and escalation” of offending.

He noted Goff had a supportive partner and parents, a job to return to and could attend rehabilitation on release.

Goff was sentenced to seven months jail with a non-parole period of three months and a 21-month intensive correction order.

He was allowed to be released from custody on the day and Mr Stewart acknowledged the need for intervention.

Goff must attend a treatment facility, abstain from alcohol, pay $3300 in fines and he was disqualified for driving for 12 months.