By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A MAN has pleaded guilty to sliding a stolen car through a roundabout and crashing into the back of a passenger bus in Clow Street, Dandenong, during an afternoon peak-hour last year.
Witnesses saw Glen Charles Burgess, who had never held a Victorian drivers’ licence, to be in a substance-affected state as he staggered away from the crash scene, Dandenong Magistrates’ Court was told on Monday last week.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Cameron Smithett said there was “high pedestrian activity”, including school children and market shoppers, at the time.
Burgess was seen driving east and deliberately sliding the Toyota sedan through a roundabout in front of Dandenong Market about 4pm on 5 October last year, Sen Const Smithett told the court.
The accused then drove west at high-speed along Clow Street until he crashed into the passenger-laden bus.
The bus was rendered “inoperable” due to the smash and the stolen car worth $2000 was written off, Sen Const Smithett said.
The court was told the accused didn’t stop to render assistance or exchange details with the bus driver.
He instead fled on foot – though “unsteady on his feet” – towards Dandenong Market.
Burgess returned minutes later to retrieve a black backpack.
When asked for his licence details by witnesses, Burgess smiled, put a lock on the vehicle and ran towards the market.
Police soon afterwards found Burgess, describing him as smelling of alcohol and with “glassy, bloodshot eyes”.
The accused was reportedly “uncooperative and violent”, resisting arrest and kicking out at officers at Dandenong Police Station.
Burgess also pleaded guilty to stealing a 700ml bottle of Jack Daniels bourbon on 2 November and of being in possession of two grams of cannabis and drinking in a public place on 28 October.
“There’s lots of questions I have in regards to this offending,” magistrate Jack Vandersteen told Burgess.
The accused was released on bail ahead of sentencing on 18 January, pending a psychiatric report.
