Izzac Williams: Wodonga man jailed after crime spree, pursuit

A Wodonga dad led police on a dangerous pursuit after his baby son died, and his stepdad was shot in front of him, his lawyer told a court.

A Wodonga dad turned to crime after his baby son died, and his stepdad was shot in front of him, his lawyer told a court.

Izzac Williams, 26, was sentenced to 20 months jail in Albury Local Court on Wednesday for a string of crimes he committed after his 10-month-old son died of SIDS.

Court documents reveal Williams stole petrol from a Lavington service station, was involved in a police pursuit, and refused to identify the passengers involved.

He was also caught with stolen goods and had alcohol in his system.

But his lawyer said Williams had a rough upbringing and had gone to five different schools by the age of 10.

Two years later he watched his stepdad get shot by police and had to move away from his family.

Court documents reveal Williams attended Coles Express in Lavington on September 22, 2019, with a female passenger, when they got petrol and drove off without paying.

Williams and his unidentified passengers stole petrol several more times over the next few days from petrol stations in Lavington and Albury, totalling $225.76.

On October 15, Williams was arrested in South Albury and taken to Albury police station.

Williams admitted to being the driver of the vehicle and the person who put fuel into the car on one occasion, but refused without a reasonable excuse, to reveal the names of the other drivers and passengers.

Williams was charged three times with not disclosing the identity of a driver or passenger as a result.

On September 13, 2021, police saw Williams, who had never held a valid drivers license, driving in Lavington at 1.12am.

Checks showed he had two outstanding warrants for his arrest and his car’s registration plate did not match the vehicle.

Court documents state police activated warning lights and sirens to try to stop the vehicle, but Williams ignored police and continued to accelerate.

A police pursuit followed and Williams tried to evade the police in a dangerous manner, taking turns at speed and driving on the wrong side of the road.

Williams then drove onto another street at high speed and almost crashed into a nearby tree, while driving through several give way signs without slowing down.

The chase lasted for seven minutes across 10km.

At 1.23am, Williams turned onto Glenelg Drive in Springdale Heights and stopped the car, and three people got out.

Williams left the car from the driver’s seat and a foot pursuit began which resulted in his arrest.

He was searched and police found four debit cards, a Medicare card, a centrelink card, women's rings, $525 cash, and a foldable knife on Williams, all of which were believed to have been stolen.

Williams was also found to be over the legal alcohol limit for someone without a license.

During an interview, Williams refused to answer any questions relating to the pursuit and said he “found” the stolen goods in his car.

Williams was charged with police pursuit and driving dangerously, unlawfully obtained goods, and drink driving given he did not possess a license.

Williams was sentenced to 20 months starting September 13, 2021, with a non-parole period of 13 months.