Teen driver Nathaniel Gilbert, 18, fronts Southport Magistrates Court after alleged cross-border pursuit

A teenager who allegedly led police from both NSW and Qld on a wild cross-border pursuit from the Northern Rivers to southern Gold Coast over the weekend has faced court for the first time.

Melbourne teenager Nathaniel Gilbert, 18, leaving the Southport Watchhouse after his successful bail application on January 27, 2025. Picture: Alex Treacy

Updated, 2.30pm Monday: A teenager charged with leading police on a high speed chase up the Pacific Highway from northern New South Wales into the southern Gold Coast, which only ended after tyre spikes were successfully deployed, has been granted bail.

Nathaniel Gilbert, 18, who ordinarily resides in Melbourne but has close family ties to the Gold Coast, faced Southport Magistrates Court on Monday facing charges of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evasion, wilful damage, receiving tainted property, and fraud.

The defendant was arrested at Burleigh Heads about 6.30pm on January 25.

An 18-year-old driver has been arrested after allegedly leading NSW Police on a wild chase that ended at Burleigh Heads on the evening of Saturday, January 25, 2024. Picture: Supplied

Police previously alleged Mr Gilbert’s Holden Commodore came to the attention of the NSW highway patrol after driving at “high speed” at Cudgera Creek at about 5.50pm.

Tyre spikes were successfully deployed near Chinderah, before Queensland officers took up the chase after the vehicle, which contained three teenage passengers, crossed the border.

The vehicle, its tyres shredded, finally came to a halt at Cowell Dr, Burleigh Heads, and all four occupants were arrested.

The three passengers, an 18-year-old man and a woman, and a 17-year-old boy, were released without charge, but Mr Gilbert was denied police bailed to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday.

Defence lawyer Linda Larkin told the court her client would not be contesting any of the charges but would need assistance gathering material for a future sentencing hearing.

Melbourne teenager Nathaniel Gilbert, 18, leaving the Southport Watchhouse after his successful bail application on January 27, 2025. Picture: Alex Treacy

She said, if granted bail, Mr Gilbert could live with family at Nerang, was willing to report regularly to Nerang Police Station, and had “no intention” of returning to Melbourne.

Magistrate Bamberry granted bail on conditions Mr Gilbert report regularly to Nerang station and not have any contact with his three young passengers.

The magistrate admonished the teenager, telling him the alleged conduct was “really dangerous”.

“You could have hurt yourself or your friends,” Magistrate Bamberry said.

Mr Gilbert responded quietly, “I understand that, Your Honour.”

Magistrate Bamberry further advised Mr Gilbert he faced two grim options under mandatory sentencing provisions for evading police in Queensland: an $8000 fine or 50 days’ imprisonment.

The defendant’s case was adjourned to February 10.

Mr Gilbert, wearing no shoes and his white T-shirt covered in dirt and grime, covered his face as he fled the Southport Watchhouse into the streets.

Teens arrested at Burleigh Heads after alleged cross-border chase

Initial, 2.45pm Sunday: A teenager has been denied police bail after allegedly leading NSW cops on a wild chase up the Pacific Highway before road spikes finally brought their target to a standstill at Burleigh Heads.

In a statement, Queensland Police said they received a call from their southern counterparts at about 5.50pm on Saturday after highway patrol officers witnessed a blue Holden Commodore sedan allegedly driving at “high speed” on the Pacific Hwy at Cudgera Creek about 10 minutes prior.

“Attempts were made by New South Wales Police to intercept the vehicle, however when he allegedly failed to pull over and continued to drive away at high speed, road spikes, or tyre deflation devices, were successfully deployed by New South Wales Police near the border town of Chinderah,” the statement read.

An 18-year-old driver has been arrested after allegedly leading NSW Police on a wild chase that ended at Burleigh Heads on the evening of Saturday, January 25, 2024. Picture: Supplied

“The vehicle continued towards Queensland where it started to show signs of tyre damage.

“After being notified, Queensland Police have continued following the vehicle and eventually – due to significant damage from the earlier tyre deflation deployment – the vehicle has been stopped on Cowell [Dr], Burleigh Heads.”

Four teenagers – the male driver, 18, and a trio of passengers, a man and a woman aged 18, and a boy aged 17 – were arrested, but the passengers were released without charge.

The driver has been charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evasion, wilful damage, receiving tainted property, and fraud.

He was denied police bail and will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on Monday.

Witnesses with dashcam footage are urged to contact police or lodge an anonymous report via Crime Stoppers Queensland.

Nobody was injured during the alleged chase and arrest.

Originally published as Teen driver Nathaniel Gilbert, 18, fronts Southport Magistrates Court after alleged cross-border pursuit