Disqualified Driver Spared Jail
A driver with a "shocking" criminal history has been spared jail after forcing motorists off the road while fleeing police in a north-west Tasmanian town.
Benjamin Edward Bakes, 34, swerved into oncoming traffic multiple times, narrowly avoiding head-on collisions in Wynyard's residential streets in September 2022.
- Several drivers took 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: Driver spared jail despite reckless behavior.