Luke Alexander Mckenzie sentenced after police chase at Coffs Harbour central shopping centre

A man on drugs led police on a chase at Coffs Central shopping centre, but time in jail revealed a new opportunity. See the dark reality of Covid-era prison life.

A Coffs man with an extensive criminal history faced district court after being arrested following a police chase through the streets and surrounds of Coffs Central shopping centre.

Luke Alexander Mckenzie, 25, was charged with one police pursuit charge (did not stop, drive dangerously), as well as drive motor vehicle during disqualification period.

Appearing via audiovisual link on Wednesday, Mckenzie pleaded guilty to both charges.

According to police facts, police attempted to pull Mackenzie over at about 3pm after detecting his expired licence following a scan on June 10.

As heard in court, police then flashed their lights – which Mckenzie “disregarded” – driving down a ‘no entry’ sign posted street at Coffs Central shopping centre.

The court heard Mckenzie reached 50km in the 10km shared pedestrian zone.

Coffs Central shopping centre, where Luke Alexander Mckenzie led police on a chase.

Public prosecutor Oliver Gilson told the court police only disengaged at this stage due to concerns about public safety.

“The pursuit was only brief because police appreciated how severe the driving was to avoid collisions,” Mr Gilson said.

Eventually halting at a no stopping zone, Mckenzie abandoned his car and ran to a nearby scrub, police facts revealed.

By 3.45pm, a police dog located Mckenzie 250 metres away in a bush, where he was detained.

Police seized $2745 in cash and a small pocket knife.

Mckenzie’s solicitor, Jonathon Paff recognised the need to deter him from driving and a need to protect the community, but asked the court to consider rehab for a young man with potential.

The court heard Mckenzie suffered with alcohol and drug abuse in the past and lost his brother in 2014 – but he told the court he was ready to turn his life around.

“I’m happy to do rehab – or whatever it’ll take. I have work lined up, a missus and I want to do the right thing by her” Mckenzie said.

He told the court of horrors experienced in jail, particularly regarding Covid restrictions.

“We had 25 days in lockdown in a row, sharing a four-by-four metre cell with another person,” he said.

Mckenzie said hot water was only available at night-time during lockdowns.

Mr Paff said Mckenzie predominantly committed offences while under the influence of drugs – and had been using meth and cannabis at the time of the offence.

The court heard Mckenzie was only driving to align his wheels and pick up linen up for his partner.

“I should never have been driving. I stuffed up,” Mckenzie said.

Luke Alexander Mckenzie said he was ready to turn his life around after an extensive criminal history.

Mr Gilson recognised the concern for public safety given Mckenzie’s speed of 50 km/h in a shared pedestrian zone.

The court heard drivers had to swerve to avoid Mckenzie’s reckless driving.

Mr Paff said Mckenzie had displayed a willingness to address his addictions and asked the court to consider how the onerous lockdown conditions aggravated prison life.

Judge Jonathan Priestley acknowledged Mckenzie’s driving speeds were “ridiculous”, but agreed that signs of rehabilitation after a “regrettable” criminal history were evident.

He considered Mckenzie’s extensive criminal and drug use history, but noted there were positives in his life.

“I agree there's a reasonably high risk of reoffending but there are reasons to think it could dissipate,” Mr Priestley said.

Mr Priestley noted how the Covid environment in prison halted access to rehab services.

Mckenzie was sentenced to a 10 month intensive corrections order to be served in the community, as an alternative to prison, commencing on August 25, 2022.

He was ordered to abstain from the use of illicit drugs and was disqualified from holding a driver’s license for two years from August 25.