Plenty Road, Mill Park: Mathew Craven accused of doing 140km/h
A convicted drug driver accused of ploughing through a red light at 140km/h at a busy Mill Park intersection has allegedly told police he was rushing to the hospital after receiving a call from his pregnant ex. So the cops checked his phone.
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A man, who allegedly sped through a red light at a popular Mill Park intersection at 140km/h, shocked police with his excuse
And it wasn’t the first time Mathew Craven allegedly put the public at great risk, having previously been caught driving on drugs multiple times, Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court has heard.
Police became aware of the 35-year-old on Sunday, May 31, after a 000 call reported a grey Ford and a green Holden ute being driven erratically on Plenty Rd about 12.25pm.
Officers then spotted the Ford allegedly travelling at approximately 140km/h in the 80km/h zone, weaving in and out of traffic, with Craven allegedly behind the wheel.
First Constable Matthew Harwood said the car allegedly went through a red light from the right turning lane at the intersection of Plenty and Childs roads about 12.36pm, before it was intercepted by police at another intersection.
The car had allegedly been stolen from Mt Evelyn earlier in the month and allegedly inside it were two sets of stolen numbers plates, one set belonging to the green ute, and a pocket knife.
Craven allegedly told police he had received a call from his ex-partner, who said she was going into labour 21 weeks into her pregnancy, and he was rushing to Werribee to see her.
But Constable Harwood said he checked Craven’s phone log and the only call around that time had been to a contact called John.
The prosecution argued Craven, who was facing charges of reckless conduct endangering life and stealing two vehicles, had complete disregard for the safety of those around him.
“This man is very lucky he has not taken a life,” Leading Senior Constable Ken Marsh said.
“This man doesn’t care that he hasn’t got a licence.
“He puts the public at great risk.”
The court heard the Kilmore man was allegedly involved in a petrol drive-off in a car stolen from Thomastown at Coles Express South Morang on April 7.
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Craven was also accused of driving unlicensed and with methamphetamine in his system on Mickleham Rd, Greenvale on May 9, 2019.
The court heard the unemployed father had previously been charged with drug driving and unlicensed driving.
Craven’s lawyer said his client had just bought the car off Gumtree, thinking it was cheap.
Magistrate Stephen Ballek granted Craven bail on strict conditions when he appeared before the court on Monday June 1, having been held in custody overnight.
“If he were driving affected by drugs, this would be a different scenario,” Mr Ballek said.