Dylan Downes of Bacchus Marsh, 32, jailed for carjacking spree, driving offences

A Magistrate has sunk the boot into a “selfish” Bacchus Marsh carjacker who put innocent lives at risk with his “lunatic” offending.

Bacchus Marsh man Dylan Downes has been jailed after a carjacking spree in northern Victoria. Picture: Victoria Police

A notorious Bacchus Marsh carjacker — who put innocent lives at risk during a wild crime spree — has been warned his “lunatic” driving could land him in the slammer for a long time.

Dylan Downes, 32, was sentenced at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after previously pleading guilty to 66 charges including carjacking, failing to stop on police direction, reckless conduct, vehicle theft, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

Downes’ week-long crime spree started on September 3 last year in Seymour when he stole a van and evaded police by driving more than 140km/h.

Across the next week he stole a ute — which he drove over road spikes and narrowly avoided a collision with police — stole another car, attempted two unsuccessful carjackings near the Seymour IGA and carjacked an 80-year-old man in his own driveway.

The elderly man tried to stop him but was dragged by the car as Downes reversed, suffering grazes and bruises.

On the day of his arrest Downes stole a semi-trailer truck and reversed towards police — in an attempt to evade them.

He proceeded to steal two more vehicles that day, one from a school and one by pulling a woman from her car, before attempting to flee on foot.

He was arrested soon after.

Dylan Downes, 32, was sentenced in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to more than 60 charges.

One victim of an attempted carjacking told the court he experienced “emotional distress” and the thought of the other victims’ experiences “makes me sick”.

He said at the time he approached Downes, who he thought needed help with a flat tyre, but things soon turned ugly when Downes rushed at the victim’s car.

A second victim said he felt “vulnerable, terrified and alone” and had recurring nightmares after the incident.

Magistrate Simon Zebrowski said Downes did “not care a jot” for innocent people who were put at risk by his “selfishness”.

“It is some of the most serious offending I have seen in nearly nine years on the bench,” he said.

“You have relevant and concerning priors and seem to have learnt nothing. One day you’ll be in a different courtroom facing five to seven years for killing someone while driving like a lunatic trying to get away from police.”

Downes also stole more than $700 of petrol and diesel from various service stations.

He was sentenced to three years in prison and will be eligible for parole two years, with 314 days already served.

His licence was disqualified for four years.