James Baker: P1 driver travelled 90km over speed limit at Bexley

A 19-year-old man appeared in court after police caught him driving 90km/h over the speed limit, putting himself, his four passengers and other drivers at risk in Sydney’s south.

A P1 driver was clocked travelling 90km/h over the speed limit in Bexley with four drunk passengers in a car last month.

James Sydney Baker, 19, was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to driving recklessly or furiously in a dangerous speed or manner.

Agreed facts tendered to court said Baker, who lives in Chipping Norton, was driving a white Audi A4 on the M5 through Bexley with two 18 year olds and two other 19 year olds on July 24 about 9.30pm.

Police saw the car and estimated Baker was travelling at 150km/h while overtaking a light amount of traffic.

An officer used a LIDAR speed detector and clocked Baker going 166km/h in a signposted 80 zone.

James Baker was caught driving at 170km/h in an 80km/h in Bexley with four passengers in the car. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

Baker drove past the police who soon caught up to him at Beverly Hills.

The officer followed the car for a short distance exceeding 170km/h.

At one point Baker swerved sharply from the fifth lane into the second, overtaking several other cars, before returning to his original lane.

The officer activated warning lights and sirens and Baker pulled over.

He admitted to travelling about 150km/h and returned a negative breath test.

Baker told the officer he had been suspended several times prior, despite having his licence for less than a year.

He said he had picked up his intoxicated friends from a party.

Baker’s licence was suspended immediately and he was ordered to attend court in August.

On Tuesday, Magistrate Philip Stewart took into account that Baker had no prior criminal history but a terrible driving record.

The court heard Baker got his P1 licence in December last year, then two days later was caught using a mobile phone.

Two weeks after that he drove in a bus lane and a month later was caught speeding, resulting in him having his licence suspended due to demerit points.

Magistrate Stewart noted Baker had done the traffic offender program, accepted he was remorseful and needed his licence to work.

He refused to not record a conviction as Baker’s lawyer had submitted, noting the “court has an obligation to protect the community”.

“You drove in an outrageous fashion and with passengers in the car,” Magistrate Stewart said.

“I accept you are held in high regard by people in your life and I hope you have learnt something valuable from the traffic offenders program and it will hopefully make you a better driver.”

Baker was convicted, disqualified from driving for two years backdated to the offence and fined $1500.