A man who drove a stolen Toyota Landcruiser through a children's play area inside Northland Shopping Centre as panicked shoppers dived for cover has been sentenced to four years and 10 months in jail.
The sentence was handed down at the County Court on Thursday, with a non-parole period of two years and 10 months.
Giriwa May, 28, rammed a police car before smashing through security bollards and glass doors to enter the shopping centre in Preston on June 18, 2025. Judge Stewart Bayles said May had been using up to a gram of methamphetamine daily in the lead-up.
CCTV footage captured the moment the two-tonne vehicle sped past retailers and hit a children's playground, sending shoppers screaming. One woman pushed her pram out of the way and grabbed a young boy metres from being struck. Another woman ran so fast she slipped and fell. No one was physically injured, but the damage cost an estimated $145,000.
Judge Bayles said the video showed people terrified, shocked and taken completely by surprise. "One can only imagine the fear and the terror this conduct must have instilled in those people," he said. He noted the wider community's sense of trust and safety was also shaken.
After crashing through another exit, May abandoned the vehicle in Northcote about 15 minutes away. He was arrested the next day in East Melbourne. On his phone, police found video of May watching news coverage of his rampage, in which he said: "It's f***ing mayhem alright, beast, Peter Brock reincarnated."
The judge said May showed complete disregard for the safety of police and shoppers, and that people could have been killed or seriously injured.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The incident shattered the sense of safety in a public space, particularly affecting families and children.
- The case highlights the risks of drug-impaired driving and the potentially catastrophic consequences of police evasions in crowded areas.
- The judge's comments reinforce the lasting community impact beyond the immediate physical harm.
Background
On June 18, 2025, Giriwa May was driving a stolen Toyota Landcruiser with stolen number plates at Northland Shopping Centre in Preston, Melbourne. When police confronted him in the carpark, he reversed into an unmarked police car multiple times before speeding through the centre's entrance. He drove through a children's play area and exited via another glass door, narrowly missing shoppers. He was arrested the following day. At sentencing on Thursday, Judge Stewart Bayles noted May's methamphetamine addiction and his lack of remorse, evidenced by him bragging about the incident.
Key Perspectives
Judge Stewart Bayles: Emphasized the terror felt by shoppers and the broader public. He described the scenes as chaotic and dangerous, stating that people could have been killed or seriously injured.
Giriwa May: The defendant showed no remorse during the incident. A day after, he recorded himself watching news coverage of the rampage and compared himself to racing driver Peter Brock, suggesting he saw the event as thrilling.
Shoppers and community: Witness reports described screaming, people lying on the ground and crawling to avoid being hit. One shopper became separated from a young child as she pushed her pram to safety. The judge said the crime eroded public confidence in using public spaces.
What to Watch
- May will be eligible for parole after two years and 10 months; his behavior in prison and risk assessment will influence release.
- The $145,000 in damage reflects the extent of physical destruction; insurance and civil claims may follow.
- The case may prompt renewed discussion about shopping centre security measures against vehicle attacks.