Joyrider Nicholas Sevdalis sentenced after wild night in Nissan Skyline

A drugged-up hoon with a shocking driving history tears up after learning his fate for a wild night in his hotted-up sports car that almost killed a mate.

Nicholas Sevdalis has been jailed for reckless driving causing serious injury to a friend.

A hoon who modified a car given to him by his grandfather has been jailed after he crashed it while drugged-up, leaving one of his passengers needing his mangled leg amputated.

Nicholas Sevdalis, 36, fronted the County Court on Thursday where he was jailed for a minimum of 10 months after earlier pleading guilty to charges of negligently driving causing serious injury, recklessly causing injury and recklessly driving at an excessive speed under the influence of cannabis.

On the night of January 4, 2022, Sevdalis took his hotted-up Nissan Skyline for a spin with two mates, reaching speeds over 135km on Sunshine Ave, Kealba before the car spun out of control, before crashing and splitting in two, with one of the passengers needing a leg amputated.

Judge Frances Hogan said it was miraculous no one else was injured or killed as a result of Sevdalis’ reckless behaviour.

“Both the Transport Accident Commission and Victoria Police have been advertising to try and make people aware of the tragic consequences of such driving which occurs so frequently and unnecessarily on our roads,” she said.

“In sentencing you, a message needs to be sent to those in the community that might be minded to drive in a social and irresponsible manner that such conduct will not be tolerated and will lead to an appropriate punishment.”

Judge Hogan said Sevdalis should have known that his Skyline should not have been on the road as that vehicle was best suited for the speedway.

Sevdalis’ grandfather gave him the Skyline about two years before the crash. Sevdalis modified it specifically for use on raceways and had no intention of driving on the day of the crash but acceded to a request by two friends, his lawyer told the court during the plea hearing last week.

“You were in your very own neighbourhood and showed no concern for your passengers or for anyone else on the road, or in the vicinity

“You drove at a speed, at least 55km/h over the posted speed limit while having THC in your bloodstream.”

He was sentenced to three years and four months on all charges and will have to serve at least 10 months before being eligible for parole.

Judge Hogan said she was satisfied Sevdalis was very remorseful and was mindful of the fact that a prison term would significantly deteriorate his mental health.

Sevdalis needed counselling for post traumatic stress disorder and has also been diagnosed with diabetic colitis, she said.

Sevdalis has had a number of traffic infringements from more than a decade ago, including speeding on five occasions, convictions in 2009 and 2010 for driving while disqualified and driving in a dangerous manner. His driving licence had either been cancelled or suspended on seven occasions.

After his sentencing, Sevdalis addressed Judge Hogan and said he was not eating and sleeping properly and wasn’t getting the right food. Judge Hogan said she did not have the power to direct prison authorities on those aspects but did request that those matters be looked into.

A visibly emotional Sevdalis blew a kiss towards his family while being led away after sentencing.