Driver who fled police escapes jail

A young volunteer firefighter just barely missed out on going to jail after fleeing police.

A young volunteer firefighter who was disqualified from driving came within a whisker of going to jail for leading police on a chase at speeds of 140km/h before stopping his car and attempting to flee in another vehicle.

Jason Paraha, 19, was told by Judge John McDonald in the Whangarei District Court that if he had crashed his car or faced a charge of dangerous driving, he would have gone to jail.

Judge McDonald said while judges in Northland have zero tolerance for drivers who did not stop for police, he was prepared to step back from that approach but warned a similar offence in future would definitely land him in jail. Paraha was sentenced on two charges of driving while disqualified and one of failing to stop.

His appearance came less than a week after three drivers who fled police were sent to jail by Judge Duncan Harvey with a strong rebuke that those who fail to stop for blue and red flashing lights will go to prison.

"Courts need to send a very clear message that if people don't stop when police ask them to and then go on to commit other offences, they will go to jail," Judge Harvey had said.

In March this year, Paraha was disqualified from driving but was spotted behind the wheels of a Subaru on a wet evening on Maunu Rd on August 15. A police officer in a patrol car signalled him to pull over but Paraha took off along State Highway 14 towards Dargaville.

He drove into a side road and parked his car up a long driveway before attempting to leave in another vehicle when police arrived. In explanation, Paraha said he knew he was a disqualified driver and fled from police because he did not want to lose his car. Judge McDonald said since Paraha was not drunk, all he had to do was pull over.

Defence lawyer Kelly Johnson said Paraha panicked and was remorseful for his stupidity.

Judge McDonald said driving at speeds of 140km/h was dangerous for Paraha, police officers following him, and other road users.

He was sentenced to four months' community detention with a curfew between 7pm and 4am, 60 hours' community work and disqualified for 15 months.