Luke Bailey: Lilli Pilli man sends police on high speed police chase around Batemans Bay

A motorcyclist who escaped police during a pursuit justified his decision to run due to “panicking” when he saw the flashing lights.

Luke Bailey leaving Batemans Bay Local Court after he was convicted and sentencing for leading police on a pursuit.

A motorcyclist who escaped police during a pursuit justified his decision to run due to “panicking” when he saw the flashing lights.

The decision to speed away from the police saw Luke Bailey, 38, wind up in Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, pleading guilty to charges of police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed and exceed speed over 45km/h.

Police documents tendered to the court reveal on the evening of July 21, the Lilli Pilli man was riding north along Beach Rd, Batemans Bay on his orange KTM motorcycle when police travelling in the opposite direction witnessed Bailey travelling “at speed”.

Police spun around and began following Bailey – who was travelling at 80km/h in the 60km/h zone – before turning on their lights indicating they wanted him to pull over; however, he kept driving.

Agreed facts state not only did Bailey keep driving, he also sped up.

Luke Bailey's panicked decision to speed away cost him his licence for 12 months and a $2000 fine.

“[Bailey] began travelling at higher speeds from police, who continued following him before informing other officers and commencing a police pursuit,” agreed facts state.

Now with multiple police cars chasing his motorcycle, Bailey took the officers along Beach Rd, before turning onto Bavarde Ave, then South St before finally bringing them to the Princes Hwy.

During this time, Bailey reached speeds of up to 105km/h with the highest speed zone he travelled on being only 80km/h.

According to agreed facts, Bailey’s number plate was difficult for officers to read due to it being bent, however right before he turned on the Princes Hwy, some of the officers pursuing his motorbike were able to get a clear reading.

The police pursuit concluded after 4.8km when officers had taken Bailey’s registration number. At this point, police halted pursuing Bailey who drove away.

Later in the night, police attended the home Bailey’s registration was linked to, where they were greeted by some of his friends who said he wasn’t home but confirmed the motorbike belonged to him.

More than two weeks later on August 7, Bailey took himself to the Batemans Bay Police Station and admitted he was the man who rode away from police on his motorbike.

When pressed by officers why he ran, he replied “I panicked and I suffer from anxiety”, according to agreed facts.

Bailey’s licence was suspended and he was given a court attendance notice.

In court on Monday, Bailey’s lawyer Geoff Gnox said his client was aware he had broken the law.

“He just panicked when he saw the police behind him,” he said. “He has been cooperative with police since and handed himself in when he heard officers were looking for him.”

Mr Gnox asked Magistrate Doug Dick to consider Bailey’s limited record when sentencing, further noting his last speeding offence was 10 years ago.

However, Mr Dick said there was never an excuse to run from the police.

“I accept you panicked, but you cannot run from the police,” he said. “You’ve acted out of character and committed a very serious offence.”

Bailey was convicted, fined $2000 and had his licence disqualified for 12 months.