Shannon Turner, 25, of Bromfield Street, Warrnambool, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court this week to a string of driving offences including drink-driving, careless driving, speeding, failing to stop when requested by police, failing to report an accident and driving an unroadworthy car.

Police told the court that at 1am on August 25 last year Turner was driving north along the Hopkins Highway at Bushfield when he lost control and skidded for 30 metres before crashing through two fences, causing $1000 damage.

A reconstruction of the accident showed Turner was travelling at 103km/h in the 80km/h zone. The next day Turner told police the vehicle had power steering problems and that he didn’t think the fence was much of a victim.

About 11pm on January 31 this year Turner was at Framlingham celebrating his birthday when he decided to drive to Warrnambool after drinking beer and bourbon.

Police tried to intercept Turner in a supermarket car park but he drove off in a highly emotional state and refused to pull over. Police terminated a pursuit, contacted Turner by phone and he pulled over nearby. He later recorded a blood-alcohol reading of .136.

Magistrate John Lesser said Turner had a shocking driving record and when he got his licence back he needed to take far better care to retain the qualification, especially since cars were his interest.

Turner also had his licence disqualified for 15 months.