‘Bizarre’ excuse for 140km/h stolen car chase on Pacific Motorway

A magistrate has branded a woman’s excuse for allegedly leading police on a 140km/h pursuit on the Gold Coast as “just bizarre”.

A woman allegedly involved in a wild stolen car chase claims she was rushing home because someone was threatening to break in and kill her dog and steal her motorcycle.

Southport Magistrates Court heard that Chelsea Taylor, 25, had been disqualified from driving just weeks earlier and was on probation when she drove the stolen white Audi at 140km/h on the Pacific Motorway on the Gold Coast last Friday.

Taylor appeared via audio link from a watch-house cell charged with offences including dangerous driving, burglary and failing to appear in court.

The court heard that police helicopter Polair shadowed the Audi as it sped down the motorway at 2.30am. Taylor and two alleged accomplices, aged 17 and 18, were arrested later in bushland.

The prosecutor told the court that Taylor was driving at 140km/h in a 70km/h zone, putting other road users’ lives at risk.

Defence lawyer Rachel Barnes said Taylor had relationship issues and was involved in an ongoing dispute over a motorcycle.

Ms Barnes said Taylor was racing home after receiving a phone call warning her that someone was going to break in, kill her dog and steal the motorbike.

The court heard that Taylor was convicted of evading police last month, fined almost $7000 and disqualified from driving for two years. She was also placed on a year’s probation for other offences.

Taylor told the court that she had been on methamphetamine which had been “controlling my actions” but she was now getting “clean”.

She said there was no excuse for her behaviour.

“I just want to get clean and get my kids home,” she said.

Magistrate Catherine Pirie said Taylor’s reasons for driving dangerously were “just bizarre”, noting that Taylor had already failed to report for probation three times and had a history of failing to appear in court.

She refused bail and remanded Taylor in custody until her next court appearance on September 10.