Bellambi Motorcyclist Sentenced to Prison for Dangerous Police Pursuit
A Bellambi motorcyclist has been handed a one-year jail sentence after a reckless police chase that involved him mounting a footpath and speeding through a soccer field in a desperate bid to escape authorities.
Court Proceedings and Guilty Plea
Lee Ping, aged 37, appeared via audio-visual link from prison at Wollongong Local Court on January 29, where he pleaded guilty to charges of police pursuit and driving while disqualified. The court heard details of the incident that unfolded on November 21, 2024, in the Illawarra region.
Details of the Reckless Incident
According to court documents, police were conducting surveillance at a drug location in Bellambi around 9:30 am when they noticed Ping standing next to an unregistered white off-road bike, dressed in a dark mismatched tracksuit. After officers in an unmarked vehicle moved on, they observed Ping riding the bike while wearing an open-faced helmet.
Knowing that Ping was unlicensed, police followed him as he accelerated harshly along Cawley Street, reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. This prompted the initiation of a formal police pursuit.
After travelling approximately 100 metres, Ping overtook a vehicle on the left-hand side before mounting the gutter and speeding down a footpath. He then entered nearby soccer fields, tearing across the grounds in a dangerous manoeuvre that forced police to terminate the chase for public safety reasons.
Arrest and Subsequent Investigation
Following the incident, police canvassed the area but were unable to locate Ping immediately. He was arrested four days later on November 25. When taken into custody, Ping reportedly told officers, "Wasn't me, don't know why you're arresting me."
He was transported to Wollongong Police Station, where he declined to participate in an interview. Court documents revealed that Ping's driver's licence had been disqualified from August 2023 until December 2026 at the time of the offence.
Sentencing and Judicial Remarks
During the court proceedings, Ping informed the magistrate that he had sold the bike immediately after the incident, stating, "I got rid of it straight away." His defence solicitor, Ms Agis, argued that her client was now willing to participate in rehabilitation programs but conceded that due to his prior history, he could not be offered a sentencing discount.
Magistrate Gabriel Fleming described Ping's record as "absolutely atrocious" and emphasised the significant danger he posed to the public during the pursuit. "It's very serious, you're driving through the soccer field. You're driving recklessly," Magistrate Fleming stated during the sentencing.
Final Sentence and Parole Eligibility
The court ultimately sentenced Ping to one year in prison with a non-parole period of nine months. He will be eligible for parole on October 22, 2026. This case highlights the serious consequences of engaging in dangerous driving behaviour and evading police in the Illawarra region.
