A 20-year-old Wongarbon man will not spend any time behind bars despite being caught drink driving three times in less than six months and leading police on a dangerous pursuit through Dubbo.
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Benjamin Charles Cusack was convicted of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm in Dubbo Local Court on Thursday.
He was also found guilty of driving while unlicensed, drink driving three times and driving while his licence was suspended.
Cusack pleaded guilty to all those charges and was supported by his parents in court.
In March Cusack drove a Toyota Hilux through Dubbo's central business district and refused to stop for police.
During the pursuit that ensued, he turned the vehicle's main lights off and turned on a rear spotlight before he drove over a nature strip and eventually crashed into a large stormwater drain.
Prior to the March incident, Cusack was caught drink driving in September and December while on p-plates.
In court Cusack's legal representative said his client was remorseful, had counselling and no criminal record when the offences were committed.
The police prosecutor asked Magistrate Gary Wilson to send Cusack to jail but the magistrate imposed an intensive corrections order.
It allows Cusack to serve a 14 month term of imprisonment in the community and forces him to undertake 300 hours of community service and abstain from drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
Cusack was also fined $1100 and disqualified from driving for 18 months.
