Robert John Fenton, 68, of Goulburn, was sentenced at Goulburn Local Court on June 23. He pleaded guilty to police pursuit - not stop - drive recklessly.

READ ALSO:

Magistrate Geraldine Beattie told the court the pursuit started after police were called to conduct a welfare check on Fenton in February 2021. She presented to the court that when police saw Fenton's vehicle pull out from the kerb in Verner Street they activated warning devices and a pursuit followed.

She told the court that the pursuit continued along Faithful Street, Montague Street and onto Church Street before Fenton drove down a set of stairs and hit a wall at the council chambers, and continued onto Clifford Street.

Magistrate Beattie said Fenton was last seen by police heading north on Crookwell Road, before they terminated the pursuit. She told the court that police later found Fenton's vehicle abandoned in the grounds of a retirement village.

She said police were not able to locate Fenton until March, in Crookwell. She told the court the defendant had said to police "I was scared, I'm sorry I didn't pull over".

Solicitor Adam Booker told the court his client was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and was not taking his medication at the time of the offence.

"He was labouring under a number of pretty serious delusions [during the time of the offence]," Mr Booker said.

Mr Booker told the court police had observed Fenton travelling at 90km/h in a 50km/h zone.

"There are some unique circumstances circumstances attached to this [offence]."

He argued Fenton had good prospects for rehabilitation.

In sentencing, Magistrate Beattie acknowledged Fenton had made the decision not to drive again, and had handed in his licence.

She told the court the offence went "straight to the heart of everybody's safety" and involved "high speeds on residential streets".

"You were out of control."

Fenton was sentenced to a Intensive Corrections Order for 13.5 months and disqualified from driving for two years.

As part of conditions Fenton is required to engage in mental health treatment and take any required medication.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:

Make sure you are signed up for our breaking news and regular newsletters