Kerry Arvidson: Eden woman wins appeal over jail term after wild stolen car chase, crash

A South Coast L plater and meth addict who drunkenly nicked a car and led police on a 200km/h chase before crashing it in a field has had her jail term reduced on appeal.

Kerry Arvidson was an L plater during the offending. Picture: Nicholas Eagar, generic

A judge has slammed a learner driver and meth addict who stole a car while drunk and led police on a 200km/h chase before crashing and destroying the vehicle, calling it a “miracle” she survived — as she fronted court to appeal the length of her stay behind bars.

Kerry Arvidson, 47, appeared in Bega District Court on Thursday via video link from custody, appealing a jail sentence handed down in February for charges of police pursuit, break and enter, unaccompanied learner driving, car theft, and driving under the influence of drugs.

The Eden woman pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced by Magistrate Vivian Swain to two years and four months in prison, with parole eligibility in April 2026.

The charges, sentence, and Thursday’s appeal stem from a December 2024, incident where Arvidson broke into an Eden garage, stealing wine and a car, before being seen driving erratically 20km away in Pambula.

The court heard when police attempted to stop her, she sped off, reaching speeds of 200km/h.

Kerry Arvidson appeared in Bega District Court on Thursday. Picture: Tom McGann

The pursuit was quickly called off for given safety concerns.

“As quickly as the pursuit began, it ended,” Judge Andrew Haesler said on Thursday.

However, Arvidson and the stolen car were shortly after unearthed in a field “completely destroyed.”

“It is a testament to modern vehicles that Arvidson is not dead,” Judge Haesler said.

“Frankly, it’s a miracle she’s alive.”

Arvidson was arrested, charged and refused bail.

On Thursday, her solicitor Tony Cullinan argued it was in Arvidson’s best interest to be in the community due to mental health issues.

“While it is serious offending, there’s a grave risk of institutionalisation,” he said.

Mr Cullinan also noted Arvidson’s addiction to methamphetamine, saying rehabilitation services would be sought upon release.

But Judge Haesler said the seriousness of the offences justified a custodial sentence and noted Magistrate Swain intentionally went beyond an intensive correction order.

However, he did ultimately rule the sentence could be slightly reduced.

Arvidson’s term was cut by four months, making her eligible for release on December 3, 2025.

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