Adrick Lee Martin hurls brick at police highway patrol car parked at Evans Head in northern NSW

A North Coast man threw a brick at a police car after being arrested for drink driving near tourism haven Evans Head while heading home to Lismore.

Adrick Lee Martin hurled a brick at a cop car after being caught drink driving, Ballina Local Court was told. Picture: Facebook

A North Coast man threw a brick at a police highway patrol car after being arrested for drink driving near northern NSW tourism haven Evans Head while heading home to Lismore.

Adrick Lee Martin of Ulmarra pleaded guilty at Ballina Local Court on Thursday to drink driving and damaging more than $2000 worth of property.

The 38-year-old required an interpreter during his court sentence because he is deaf.

Highway patrol officers were travelling on the Pacific Highway near Broadwater and East Wardell when they noticed a Toyota HiLux ute driving dangerously about 5pm on October 20, police state in court documents.

“The vehicle was travelling very close to the rear of a small white hatchback … police believe (the ute) was too close to stop safety,” the documents state.

The highway patrol car pulled Martin over near the Evans Head exit on the highway. Picture: NSW Police

Martin was clocked travelling at 120km/h in the 110km/h zone and officers signalled for the car to pull over near the Evans Head exit.

“Police approached and (Martin) got out of the car and indicated to police that he was deaf, but he was able to lip-read to follow instructions,” the documents state.

Martin told police he had consumed two to three drinks.

He returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.098, almost double the legal blood alcohol limit, and was taken to Evans Head Police Station.

Police parked outside the station and tried to escort Martin into the building – but he sat down on the footpath instead.

Martin was taken to Evans Head Police Station, but was not pleased he did not get taken to Ballina instead.

“He typed into his phone he thought they were going to Ballina Police Station,” police state.

Eventually, Martin came into the station and asked for an interpreter, but police were able to communicate with him using a while board and did not deem one necessary.

Martin’s licence was suspended by police and he was issued with a court attendance notice (CAN).

“(Martin) refused to accept the CAN and kept looking away. Police put the document in his top pocket, but he threw it away and walked out of the police station,” the documents state.

“The accused was being very difficult to deal with and police allowed him to walk away.”

Police came out of the station soon after and saw a brick sitting next to the front left wheel of the patrol car.

Police saw a brick had been thrown at the highway patrol car.

“There was (a dent) to the front left panel and scratches to the front left wheel,” the documents state.

“Police looked around and saw Martin (nearby), looking directly at the officers.”

Martin tried to run and police arrested him. He initially denied damaging the car.

However, a witness came into the station and said they spotted the incident.

Officers took Martin to Ballina Police Station and charged him.

Ballina Police Station. Picture: Savannah Pocock

Defence Lawyer Leyla Roberts said Martin found out a friend had cancer before he hopped behind the wheel.

“He drink-drove back home to Lismore,” she said.

“He has no hearing, and has anxiety and depression, but is not on medication because he wants to have a clean diet.”

But Magistrate Karen Stafford said Martin had a record of drink driving.

Ballina Courthouse. Picture: Savannah Pocock

“He was driving too close to other cars and threw a brick at a parked police car when he received a court notice,” she added.

She did tell Martin: “You have completed the traffic offenders program and you are a kind person who does a lot of volunteering.”

Ms Stafford convicted Martin and sentenced him to a conditional release order for a year.

Martin’s driver’s licence was disqualified for three months and he must use an alcohol interlock device for a year once back on the road.