AN UNLICENSED driver will be sentenced next month after admitting to drinking a “litre of rum” and smoking ice before leading police on a pursuit.
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Zane Walker has admitted to a raft of offences stemming from the February 17 chase with highway patrol officers through the streets of Glen Innes.
The 20-year-old had only fronted court the day before the chase and was found guilty of driving while unlicensed.
But Walker wasn’t arrested by police until six days later and appeared in Armidale Local Court last week, where he pleaded guilty to charges of police pursuit by driving dangerously, never licensed person drive vehicle, driving under the influence of a drug with a previous conviction, using an unregistered car, as well as an uninsured car, display unauthorised number plates and custody of a knife.
He lodged a last minute bid for bail despite the pleas and was denied release by Magistrate Michael Holmes.
Mr Holmes said although Walker had a limited criminal history, he had weak community ties, the offence was serious and it was a strong crown case which included admissions.
A solicitor for Walker argued his 20-year-old client had medical issues but the police prosecutor Sergeant Cheryl Hall opposed bail, citing the serious nature of the facts, and Walker’s record.
Mr Holmes told the court Walker had a history of non-compliance with court orders and a custodial sentence was likely.
And, he said Walker was an unacceptable risk of endangering the safety of the community and committing a further serious offence, and consequently he had to refuse bail.
Walker was spotted by police walking along Bourke St on February 23. He was arrested before officers found a knife with a folding blade hidden in his jeans.
“The accused stated that on the day of the pursuit he had smoked a quantity of the drug ice and consumed a litre of rum prior to driving,” police facts tendered to the court said.
“The accused also admitted during the interview that he was affected by these substances during the pursuit.”
Police first saw the silver Ford sedan being driven by Walker in Grey St about 9.30pm on February 17.
“The vehicle failed to stop and accelerated away in a southerly direction on Grey St,” facts said.
The shared zone speed limit in Grey St is 20km per hour, while the rest of the CBD is restricted to 40km per hour.
The accused stated that on the day of the pursuit he had smoked a quantity of the drug ice and consumed a litre of rum prior to driving ... The accused also admitted during the interview that he was affected by these substances during the pursuit.
- NSW police facts
“The vehicle continued to accelerate to speeds of about 90km per her in this area.”
Police said the driver then “fish-tailed” on the roundabout at Bourke St.
“Police observed a rear-seat passenger in the vehicle look back through the rear window at the police vehicle behind,” facts stated.
“The accused continued to drive in an overt manner, police formed the opinion that the accused was intentionally trying to avoid police.”
The pursuit continued through Lang, Church and Torrington Streets before police terminated the chase.
“At this point, police terminated the pursuit as the vehicle was heading towards the showground where there were numerous pedestrians including families and small children who were attending the annual Glen Innes show,” facts said.
Officers said the car “skidded sideways” and “disappeared out of sight”, and claimed the manner of driving of Walker was “dangerous and posed a real and potential risk to pedestrians and other traffic in this highly congested area outside the showground”.
Police were told a short time later the same car was seen entering a Ferguson St backyard.
Officers found the car in the yard and said “the tyres on the vehicle were warm to touch and the bonnet of the vehicle was hot from the engine”.
“Police noted that the vehicle’s number plates had been removed,” facts said.
“Checks confirmed that the vehicles registration had expired and was subsequently uninsured.
“The number plates attached to this vehicle during the police pursuit were not authorised to be displayed on this vehicle.
“The accused had attended court earlier this date after being charged with driving unlicensed, the offence was proven.
“The accused had been detected on that occasion driving the same vehicle.”
Police searched the home the following day for the number plates but were unable to find them.
Walker will be sentenced in March.