Joel, Ryan Wells: Frankston coward puncher’s brother learns fate after wild chase

The brother of Frankston king hitter Ryan Wells has been sentenced over a crime spree which nearly killed a pregnant mum.

Joel Wells has learned his fate over a wild drive which nearly claimed the life of a pregnant woman and her two-year-old. Picture: Facebook

A man who almost killed a pregnant mother and her two-year-old son during a brazen escapade in Melbourne’s southeast has been spared extra jail time.

Joel Wells, 30, was sentenced to 383 days behind bars reckoned as time served in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday after pleading guilty to charges including reckless conduct endangering life.

Wells’ lawyer Andrew Purcell said his client had rid himself of his ice addiction and wanted to “move on” following the shocking crime spree in November 2018.

He said Wells — whose brother Ryan sparked public outrage after king-hitting a stranger on a Frankston street after a night of binge drinking in 2018 — had been subjected to a social media “pile on” including derogatory comments online which had affected his work and relationships.

“He just wants to move on and get his life back in order which he’s done a very good job of … he’s taken significant steps to address the underpinning of all his offending,” Mr Purcell said.

“He’s not the most articulate gentlemen but his letter (of remorse) written to the court was heartfelt.”

Wells’ frightening spree began after he stole a Toyota Hilux from a Warneet property on November 29, 2018, about 9.30am.

The menace took off down the street hotly pursued by the Hilux’s owner, before attempting to ram another witnesses’ vehicle at the Warneet boat ramp at high speed.

Wells sped along Warneet Rd as the witness followed before ploughing through a fence and “barely” missing a heavily pregnant woman who was loading her son into her car.

The hoon skidded and smashed through the woman’s fence again before taking off through the paddocks and knocking down more fences in Clyde North.

Wells dumped the car in a field after running out of fuel, taking off on foot toward Cardinia about 12pm.

He stole a Nissan ute from a car shop on Chasemore Rd, with police catching up with him as he flew along Racecourse Rd Pakenham about 12.45pm.

“Wells continued to drive through the paddocks, damaging upwards of ten fences belonging to multiple victims,” the prosecution said.

The wild chase came to an end when Wells smashed into a drain on Seven Mile Rd, leaving the stolen ride with extensive damage.

The thug tried to run but was tackled after a 300m sprint, the court heard.

In a victim impact statement the female victim — who was in a high-risk pregnancy at the time of the incident — said she had been left “terrified” and unable to sleep after Wells’ death-defying stunt.

“My son, now aged five, still recalls the (incident) and notes cars in the street, saying ‘that looks like the monster truck that crashed through our fences and nearly got us mum’,” she said.

“If we were there 20 seconds later I have no doubt myself, my unborn child and son would be seriously injured if not killed … my husband left without a family.

“It’s something we will never forget.”

Wells, who began using drugs when his life “unravelled” at 16, spent 13 months on remand before he was granted bail in late 2019 to undertake rehab in Shepparton until May last year.

Magistrate Kieran Gilligan heard Wells had since landed full-time work as a concreter, acts as a stepfather to his girlfriend’s child and has “full support” from his family and employer.

“He’s taken hold of his life and is returning to his old self,” Mr Gilligan said.

“Your offending was in the haze of methamphetamine use and your driving was appalling.

“ … I accept you’ve done everything possible to rehabilitate yourself.”

Wells’ licence was also cancelled for six months.