A 33-year-old man under the influence of illicit drugs was racing to get his pregnant partner to hospital when he drove recklessly at excessive speed on Henry Street, the Launceston Magistrates Court heard.
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Aaron John Cochrane pleaded guilty to one count of reckless driving and drive a motor vehicle whilst a prescribed illicit drug is present on February 22 last year.
Police tendered no evidence on counts of evading police under aggravated circumstances and drive whilst disqualified.
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Police prosecutor Natalie Clark said police were stopped on the side of the road when a red Holden utility accelerated as it went past them.
They followed in an attempt to intercept the vehicle which was travelling at an estimated 110km/h in a 60km/h zone.
Near the railway crossing, Cochrane overtook a car on a blind crest where oncoming traffic could not be seen. He turned into Dowling Street without indication and when police activated lights he pulled over.
"He showed produced an expired driver's licence and admitted he was disqualified," Ms Clark said.
She said police had not proceeded with a charge of driving while disqualified because it was accepted he was driving in case of an emergency. An oral fluid test detected the presence of methylamphetamine and cannabis.
She said the plea of guilty would put him in breach of a suspended sentence but police would make no application that it be activated.
Defence counsel Olivia Jenkins said Cochrane's partner had experienced significant pain.
"He felt he had to get her to hospital as quickly as he could," she said.
"Why not call an ambulance?" Magistrate Simon Brown asked.
Ms Jenkins said the couple had been told to get straight to hospital as soon as any pains were felt.
"Sorry, surely you are not submitting that a doctor suggested making a dangerous dash to hospital where you put the lives of other people at risk?" he asked.
Ms Jenkins said driving themselves was the decision they made.
She said that Cochrane realised he should not have used illicit substances given the circumstances.
"He was using cannabis and methylamphetamine was in the cannabis," she said.
"I've never heard that," Mr Brown said. "One is a leaf-based plant and the other is a powder or a pill."
Ms Jenkins said she could not pinpoint how it came to be but he had been using cannabis.
He said he could not take the submission as mitigation.
Mr Brown sought a report on his suitability for a community correction order with work orders and also for a home detention order. Sentencing is on April 13 at 2.15pm.