Police chase crash driver avoids jail

By ANDREW THOMSONFeb. 13, 2014, 4 a.m.

A FLEEING drink-driver, eventually run down by Warrnambool police officers after he crashed into two house fences and narrowly missed a woman, has just managed to avoid going to jail.

A FLEEING drink-driver, eventually run down by Warrnambool police officers after he crashed into two house fences and narrowly missed a woman, has just managed to avoid going to jail.

Benjamin Robert Knight, 31, of Hopetoun Road, Warrnambool, appeared in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court this week for a contest mention hearing.

After a sentence indication from Victorian chief magistrate Peter Lauritsen, the accused man pleaded guilty to a reduced number of charges knowing he would not go straight to prison.

Those charges included reckless conduct endangering life, unlicensed driving, failing to stop when requested by police and drink-driving (.135).

Mr Lauritsen said if Knight had contested the charges and they were proven, he could have expected to serve 12 months in prison.

Knight received a 12-month jail sentence which was suspended for two years. He was also disqualified from obtaining a drivers licence for 26 months.

Police alleged that on November 16 last year Knight and his partner were drinking at the Whalers Hotel before leaving at 1.10am.

Police saw Knights vehicle out of control and swaying across Mortlake Road about 2am.

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Police chase crash driver avoids jail