Shepparton Magistrates’ Court: Lindsay Keith Williams guilty of reckless conduct endangering life, dangerous driving

An unlicensed Shepparton man led police on a “lengthy chase” before he lost control of his car and smashed into a wire fence.

Mr Williams did not stop when police activated their sirens and began their chase, where he collided into a wire fence minutes later.

A Shepparton man who led police on a wild chase before crashing into a wire fence had been unlicensed for 10 years, a court has heard.

Lindsay Keith Williams pleaded guilty in the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court to failing to stop a vehicle on police directions, reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering life or serious injury, driving in a manner dangerous and unlicensed driving.

Williams was driving in a blue Holden Cruze at a speed of 90km/h to 100km/h in a 60km/h zone in Shepparton about 5.35am on April 23 this year.

Nearby police detected Williams’ speed, followed his car and activated their sirens.

However, the 44-year-old failed to stop, and he continued to drive on travel on Drummond Rd, heading east, the court heard.

The court heard Williams did not hold a current driver's licence for 10 years.

Williams the lost traction and crashed into a wire fence before police removed him from the vehicle, handcuffed and transported him to the Shepparton police station.

Police discovered Williams had not held a driver’s licence for 10 years.

He was interviewed where he admitted he was driving unlicensed and told police he was driving the car from Mooroopna.

“I tried to go around the corner too fast and drove onto the wrong side,” Williams told police in the interview.

Police were concerned as Williams drove through an industrial road moments before he crashed — which could have put tradies at risk driving in the area heading to work.

Williams’ defence lawyer Megan McKenna knew it was a “lengthy” police chase but told the court Williams has “really pulled up his socks”.

The court also heard Williams appeared before the court on another occasion and is engaging in a community corrections order for other matters.

Ms McKenna said Williams’ offending was out of character for him and he engages in community work weekly.

“It takes very little for something to go wrong,” Magistrate Marita Altman said.

“People aren’t making sensible decisions when they’re fleeing from the police.”

Williams’ licence was disqualified for a further 12 months and was required to work an additional 20 hours to go toward his community corrections order.