Fraser Coast man Hayden Patrick Donald sentenced after ramming two police cars during Ballina police pursuit in northern NSW

A disqualified Queensland driver on parole was arrested at gunpoint after ramming into two police cars in reverse, disabling them during a Northern Rivers NSW chase.

Donald was arrested at gunpoint by officers after the police chase. Picture: File

A disqualified Queensland driver on parole was arrested at gunpoint after ramming into two police cars in reverse and disabling them during a wild pursuit in northern NSW.

Ballina Local Court heard Hayden Patrick Donald’s offending occurred around the anniversary of the death of his child.

The 21-year-old Fraser Coast man with an extensive criminal history pleaded guilty in the court over videolink from custody to stealing a car, knowingly driving a stolen car and two counts of police pursuit.

Donald also pleaded guilty to two counts of using a car to prevent apprehension, failing to give information to another driver after a crash and disqualified driving.

Police were patrolling in Ballina when they spotted a stolen Toyota Prado four-wheel drive travelling along Bangalow Rd about 8.45pm on September 26, court documents state.

Donald did not pull over when officers signalled for him to. Picture: File

Officers switched on lights and a sirens, but the car being driven by Donald continued on, sparking a pursuit.

Donald accelerated up to about 95km/h in a 50km/h zone, crossed to the wrong side of the road and sped through intersections.

“The pursuit was terminated due to the danger to other cars,” police state in the documents.

Officers noticed Donald turn into dead-end Canal Rd and they placed spikes at the entry to the street.

Donald turned down Canal Rd, Ballina and ended up with the stolen car’s tyres deflated. Picture: Google Maps

Soon after, “officers saw Donald driving towards police without the car’s headlights on“ and “both front tyres were deflated by the spikes”.

Officers were on Donald’s tail when he braked harshly at Kerr St.

Police state: “In a deliberate, dangerous act, he reversed the Toyota in to the front of the police car, pushing it backwards about a car length.”

“The impact caused all airbags in the car to activate, causing its driver minor injuries, which disabled that car and blocked the roadway,” the documents read.

Donald reversed into two police cars.

Donald took off again and another cop car followed.

Again, Donald hit the brakes and reversed into the pursuing vehicle, “causing major damage and disabling the car”.

Donald stopped about 200 metres away and police took him in at gunpoint.

Donald disabled two police cars. Picture: File

Donald failed a field sobriety assessment and officers believed he was moderately affected by drugs, according to the documents.

He was taken to Ballina District Hospital and blood samples were taken. They had not yet been analysed as of the court appearance, according to police.

Police believe Donald caused a whopping $150,000 worth of damage.

It’s stated two police cars and the stolen Toyota had to be written off.

Defence lawyer Rebecca Witchard said Donald, who was on parole in Queensland, entered early guilty pleas.

Ballina Court House. Picture: Rodney Stevens

She said Donald struggled with the loss of his children.

“The event occurred on the anniversary of his child’s death, who died from SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) ... ,” she said.

“His first daughter was stillborn … ”

Ms Witchard said Donald experienced a traumatic childhood, witnessed alcohol and drug problems at a young age and experienced the death of relatives.

The court was told Donald faced trauma growing up in foster care. Picture: File

Ms Witchard said Donald lived with mental health issues and had already spent more than 40 days in custody on remand.

Magistrate Bruce Williams said the offending was “troubling”.

“The court has seen people being pursued cause as much of a threat as they can for police to terminate the pursuit,” he said.

“He took actions to prevent police from following him by backing into the cars, showing a total disregard for the officers in those cars.

“He didn’t stop to see if anyone was injured.”

On Thursday, Mr Williams convicted and sentenced Donald to three years in jail with a two-year non-parole period.

His driver’s licence was disqualified for three years and six months.