Disqualified Driver Spared Jail After Reckless Police Chase
A 34-year-old driver, Benjamin Edward Bakes, has been spared jail despite having a "shocking" criminal history and putting innocent lives at risk during a reckless police chase in north-west Tasmania.
In September 2022, Bakes swerved into oncoming traffic multiple times, narrowly avoiding head-on collisions, as he fled police in Wynyard's residential streets.
- Several drivers were forced to take evasive action to avoid crashing into Bakes.
- One motorist had to pull over to avoid a head-on smash.
- Another was forced to swerve when Bakes turned right without giving way, ignoring a give-way sign.
Your driving put a number of innocent lives at risk
Justice Michael Brett described Bakes' criminal record as "shocking" during sentencing in the Supreme Court.
Author's summary: Disqualified driver spared jail after reckless chase.