Jailed: Driver was drinking beer and speeding before pursuit

A MAN who led police on a high-speed chase while drinking beer before crashing at more than 200km/h last month has been jailed

A man who led police on a high-speed chase while drinking beer before crashing at more than 200km/h last month has been jailed

A MAN who led police on a high-speed chase while drinking beer before crashing at more than 200km/h last month has been sentenced to three months prison.

Darwin Local Court heard police spotted Avery Bonson, 30, speeding on the Arnhem Highway on December 21 and attempted to pull him over.

Bonson, who has never held a driver’s licence, then sped up to 202km/h before crashing.

He returned a blood-alcohol reading of 0.065.

Bonson pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of dangerous driving, one count of drink-driving, and one count of driving unlicensed.

Bonson’s lawyer Patrick Coleridge said the booze in his client’s system was not a major contributor to the crash and that Bonson “panicked” when he saw police.

But prosecutor Nhi Tran said the fact Bonson was “literally drinking while he was driving” meant a term of “actual imprisonment” was warranted.

Mr Tran noted Bonson’s blood-alcohol reading was taken four hours after the crash.

In sentencing Bonson, Judge Greg Macdonald said it was fortunate none of the vehicle’s occupants or any member of the public were killed, but that Bonson had some prospects for rehabilitation.

“What you did on that day was very stupid and I hope you never do it again,” he said.

“You’re lucky that light scrub stopped you and not a rock or a tree.”