A Shell Cove man has been sentenced to 16 months in jail after leading police on a high-speed chase while drunk, crashing into a home. Adam Arthur Clark, 51, appeared before Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to high-range drink-driving and police pursuit charges.
Police first encountered Clark at traffic lights on Harbour Boulevard and Shellharbour Road in Shell Cove around 6pm on January 2. Clark drove through the intersection, beeping his horn, and when police attempted to stop him, he accelerated away. The pursuit continued along Cove Boulevard, with Clark performing a U-turn at a roundabout on Southern Cross Boulevard before heading westbound at high speed.
While turning onto Windward Passage, Clark lost control, mounted the kerb, struck a streetlight pole, and ploughed into the front of a home. He exited his vehicle with his hands in the air, telling police, 'Well, you got me, I am not going anywhere now, am I.' A blood test later revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.172 grams per 100 millilitres, more than three times the legal limit.
In court, defence lawyer Zali Kelly acknowledged the seriousness of the offending but requested a community-based sentence, arguing full-time custody would be 'more onerous than necessary.' She noted Clark had consumed eight drinks that day and believed he was fit to drive. Magistrate Michael Love described the offence as 'unbelievable,' stating the pursuit only ended because of the crash.
Clark was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment with a non-parole period of eight months, making him eligible for release on January 18, 2027. He was also disqualified from driving for two years upon release. Clark has lodged an appeal against the sentence, which will be heard on June 16.
