Northern Rivers man Shane Richard Millwood pleads guilty to string of charges in court after Ballina police pursuit

A Northern Rivers dad on meth leapt from a moving car in a failed bid to evade police during a pursuit in which he hit 50kmh over the speed limit in a residential area.

Shane Richard Millwood outside Ballina Courthouse.

A Northern Rivers father leapt from a moving car in a failed bid to evade police during a pursuit in which he hit 50kmh over the speed limit in a residential area.

Shane Richard Millwood, 39, pleaded guilty at Ballina Local Court to speeding, driving while disqualified, police pursuit and driving with an illegal drug in his system.

Millwood was spotted by police driving a Ford Falcon at 68kmh in a 50kmh zone on Hill St in Ballina about 9.30am on August 24 last year.

He was directed to pull over, but ignored the instructions, accelerated and turned on to Coogee St, the wheels of the vehicle hitting the gutter, the court heard.

Millwood’s actions sparked a police pursuit and he sped up to 100kmh in the residential area.

Shane Richard Millwood outside Ballina Courthouse.

He turned onto Bonville St, ran onto the nature strip and slowed the Ford to about 30kmh before he tried to flee the moving vehicle.

The door struck a street sign, forcing Millwood back into the car – but he would give it another go.

Millwood successfully got out of the car while it was still in motion and ran across Serpentine Park, leaving the Falcon to crash into a tree, court documents state.

Officers chased Millwood on foot and found him lying down next to a car in a driveway.

He was arrested and taken to Ballina Police Station, where he was found to have methamphetamines in his system.

Asked about taking drugs, Millwood told police: “I can’t remember, I don’t know.”

Defence lawyer Tenika Vakauta told the court on April 13 that her client experienced a dysfunctional childhood.

Serpentine Park in East Ballina. Picture: Google

She said the pursuit “went on for a limited duration” and that Millwood “struggles with substance misuse”.

Magistrate Kathy Crittenden said Millwood was on a community corrections order when he offended, but had since taken positive steps towards rehabilitation.

“You have significant substance abuse issues and there have been real efforts to address the issues,” she said.

“Luckily nobody was killed or injured.”

Ms Crittenden spoke of Millwood’s family and encouraged him to stay on the right path.

“It’s not easy but it’s never too late,” she said.

Ms Crittenden sentenced Millwood to a 16-month intensive corrections order and he must complete 120 hours of community service work.

Millwood was disqualified from driving for three years.