A 24-year-old Tasmanian man who drove dangerously has been sentenced in the Supreme Court after being found guilty by jury of dangerous driving.
Cody Christopher Quinn also pleaded guilty to additional charges of evading police and driving while disqualified.
Chief Justice Chris Shanahan late last year described Quinn’s driving as “inherently dangerous” and said he was “lucky that it did not result in tragedy”.
The court heard Quinn drove on the wrong side of a roundabout, overtook vehicles at excessive speed, crossed double white lines and sped through roadworks on the wrong side of the road towards a blind crest.
The only issue at trial was whether Quinn was the driver.
Quinn has an extensive criminal history including multiple convictions for evading police and driving while disqualified.
He was already serving a six-year licence ban and had spent 17 months in custody for other offences.
Chief Justice Shanahan said previous sentences had failed to change Quinn’s behaviour.
“The penalties imposed in relation to your offending have been steadily rising but, it seems, without making a significant difference to your attitude to driving, the use of vehicles and the danger you are prepared to inflict on other road users,” he said.
Quinn was sentenced to one month’s immediate imprisonment for evading police, backdated to November 17, 2025.
For the remaining charges, he received 18 months’ imprisonment, fully suspended on strict conditions.
These include probation supervision, drug and alcohol treatment, a complete ban on drinking and mandatory psychological assessment.
His licence disqualification was extended by another year, bringing the total ban to seven years.
Chief Justice Shanahan rejected home detention, saying the serious nature of Quinn’s offending and his prior record ruled it out.
He acknowledged Quinn had expressed willingness to change but warned him he would be held accountable.
“This is your opportunity for change, it is up to you whether you take it,” he said.
Quinn faces 18 months in prison if he breaches his conditions.
