An unlicensed motorist who led police on a ''spectacular'' car chase in a 1973 classic Daimler between Oamaru and Elderslie while driving on just three wheels was yesterday ordered off the road for nine months after being sentenced on driving offences.
Matthew John Webb (18), dairy worker from Elderslie, pleaded guilty in the Oamaru District Court to driving recklessly after a police pursuit on October 19.
He also pleaded guilty to failing to stop for police, driving while forbidden and possessing a cannabis pipe.
Police prosecutor Constable Kate Saxton said Webb failed to stop for a police vehicle about 1.15am in Chelmer St. He then accelerated to speeds of up to 130kmh in a 70kmh area around Saleyards Rd, where he careered into a bank, losing a tyre.
Const Saxton said the pursuit was abandoned as too dangerous after 3km, because Webb was driving on the wrong side of the road.
Another police vehicle then spotted the car being driven at about 90kmh while giving off ''a shower of sparks'', before the man was arrested outside his home. Defence counsel Michael de Buyzer said although the defendant had demonstrated a ''rather spectacular first foray'' into offending, he had no prior convictions and had realised the ''foolhardiness'' of his disproportional reaction.
Judge Joanna Maze said although it was a first offence, a ''clear message'' needed to be given in sentencing.
''This young man endangered himself, the police officers and others.''
Webb was sentenced to 75 hours' community work and disqualified him from driving for six months on the reckless driving charge, with an additional three-month cumulative disqualification period of three months for failing to stop.
On all other charges, he was convicted and discharged.
