By Cam Lucadou-Wells
An accused drug-driver who allegedly led a fast late-morning police pursuit through a supermarket car park and the wrong side of the road in central Noble Park has been granted bail.
Travis Smith, 22, with a long list of prior convictions, was likened to an “unguided missile” by magistrate Daniel Muling during a hearing at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 27 August.
In opposing bail, police regarded Smith as an “extreme risk” of re-offending.
Police say they parked behind Smith in a stolen 1998 Skyline coupe at the 7-11 service station at the corner of Douglas and Heatherton roads about 10.30am on Thursday 1 August.
Smith then allegedly accelerated at a fast rate through the busy rear car park of Coles Supermarket.
The coupe allegedly sped up to 100 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on Frank Street, and crossed on the wrong side of the road into incoming traffic at a roundabout at Noble and Buckley streets.
An hour later, the same car was allegedly screeching a burnout and “hooning up and down the street, driving backwards and throwing things out the window” in Banksia Street, Doveton.
Smith was soon after arrested after allegedly running from police, jumping fences and hopping on a stolen mountain bike in Tarata Drive, Doveton.
He allegedly tested positive for meth and cannabis, the court heard.
At the time, Smith was wanted for failing to appear at court for charges of attempted car stealing and attempted theft from a vehicle in Fitzroy North.
He also faced charges of two alleged petrol drive-offs and a theft of a beer slab from a bottle shop – although CCTV images from one of the drive-offs didn’t appear to feature Smith, his lawyer said.
Smith’s prior convictions included armed robbery, robbery, aggravated burglary, intentionally causing injury, affray and bail offences.
He had more than 20 previous convictions for theft and 30 for car theft.
Mr Muling noted that the “driving in the middle of the day in a suburban area is as bad as it gets, particularly given you were affected by drugs when this took place”.
“You can expect that a court will consider that a jail sentence is open because of the danger that you caused.
“It seems that on every occasion (at court) you’ve received a sentence of detention so it’s fair to say you’ve been an unguided missile over a period of time.”
Mr Muling however said Smith had met the “compelling reasons” test for bail.
He noted Smith’s young age, his substance-free stint in remand for the past 26 days, and that he’d never received intensive support under the CISP bail program.
With the help of CISP, Smith’s “real risk” of re-offending could be reduced to an acceptable level.
“From almost 24 years’ experience sitting as a magistrate I’m well aware of the positive results that CISP have been able to achieve for persons like yourself with significant drug, alcohol and mental health issues.
“You know if you were to go back on the gear, all bets are off.”
Smith was bailed on a night curfew, to live with a close relative and her three young children in Endeavour Hills.
His conditions included not to drive or use illicit drugs.
Smith was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 24 September.
