Sentence appealed

By Tania Martin
A MONBULK man, sentenced to seven months jail for what the magistrate described as ‘20 minutes of madness’ that left a motorcyclist with severe leg injuries, has appealed the decision.
Christopher Dodd, 37, pleaded guilty in December to one count of dangerous driving causing serious injury and one count of failing to stop at the scene of an accident after an incident at 5pm on Monbulk Road on March 19, 2009.
The court heard Dodd was seen driving dangerously through the back streets of Belgrave before turning on Monbulk Road.
He hit the motorcyclist, cutting the rider’s leg with a jagged edge on his car.
The court heard Dodd was then seen driving dangerously through Monbulk’s main street, tailgating other motorists.
Police later attended his residence where Dodd threatened to harm himself, smashing his head twice into a window and brandishing a pair of scissors.
He was subdued by police and conveyed to the Maroondah Hospital for psychiatric assessment.
Defence counsel Royce Decker said Dodd had gone into a ‘melt down’ after discovering his fiancee was having an affair.
He said Dodd had taken more than 10 valium the day before, along with several other mood enhancing drugs.
Mr Decker said at the time of the incident Dodd no idea the motorcyclist had been injured.
The case was adjourned for a physiological assessment.
Dodd appeared before Magistrate Nuzio La Rose for sentencing last week.
Mr Decker said the psychological report showed Dodd didn’t cope well with stress or anger and had ongoing mental health issues.
He said it also revealed head injuries from motorcycle accidents and fights in the past had led to a degree of brain injury.
Mr Decker asked that an Intensive Corrections Order (ICO) be made.
He said Dodd wanted to regain contact with his son and was working hard to rehabilitate himself.
“Dodd is drug free but admits to still smoking small amounts of cannabis,” he said.
But Police Prosecutor Senior Constable Lisa Aulich said Dodd had four prior drink driving offences.
She said an ICO had been placed on him before and had not been a deterrent.
Mr La Rose said Dodd’s behaviour was ‘appalling’.
He said it was “20 minutes of madness that could have ended in much more serious charges”.
“It’s fortunate he is only facing this court and not a higher court on trial for offences far more serious,” Mr La Rose said.
Mr La Rose sentenced Dodds to nine months jail with a minimum of four for the dangerous driving charge, and 15 month with a minimum of seven for leaving the accident. They are to be served concurrently.
His licence has been suspended for two years.
Dodd has appealed the sentence and will appear before the County Court on 15 June.