Brodie Matthews pleads guilty to disqualified driving, resisting arrest after police officer hurt in Coffs Harbour scuffle

A police officer was taken to hospital following a scuffle with a Coffs labourer who was stopped by police for driving disqualified twice in just 20 minutes. Here’s what happened.

Brodie Matthews, 32, was found driving disqualified twice within 20 minutes, the court was told.

A senior constable was taken to hospital following a wrestle with a Coffs Harbour labourer who was stopped by police for driving disqualified twice in just 20 minutes.

Police patrolling MacKays Rd spotted a Mazda 3 with no number plates about 11.20pm on May 11.

Officers u-turned and followed the Mazda to Aston Close, where the driver – now known to be 32-year-old man Brodie Matthews – hopped out of the vehicle.

Police switched on body worn video cameras and asked Matthews about the Mazda’s lack of plates, but he was “uncooperative”, police state in court documents.

Matthews was asked to show his licence, but claimed he had not been driving and refused the request.

Checks revealed Matthews’ licence was suspended until November 25.

Police placed him under arrest, but Matthews resisted as they tried to cuff him.

“As a result of the resist and the wrestle the victim (a senior constable) required hospitalisation for lacerations to his right hand,” the documents state.

The officer was also left with grazing to his knees and shins.

Checks revealed Matthews’ licence was suspended until November 25 and the Mazda’s registration lapsed on November 3 last year.

Some 20 minutes before the incident, Matthews was stopped by a Coffs Harbour highway patrol officer and issued with a court attendance notice for driving disqualified.

Matthews faced Coffs Local Court on Wednesday.

He was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count each of driving a motor vehicle during a disqualification period – second offence, refusing to produce a driver’s licence and hindering or resisting police in the execution of duty.

Magistrate Theresa Hamilton sentenced Matthews to 12-month intensive correction and community correction orders, as well as 100 hours of community service work.

He was convicted without further penalty for failing to provide his licence to police.