Tom West in Coffs Harbour court on Arrawarra police chase charge

Handcuffed and sitting quietly in the dock as his mother watched on, the 20-year-old trainee appeared in relation to an alleged police pursuit on the weekend.

A young trainee tyre fitter was remanded in custody following an alleged police pursuit on the old Pacific Highway over the weekend.

Tomas Robert West was handcuffed and sat quietly as his mother watched on, when his matter came before Magistrate Ian Rodgers in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Monday.

The court heard the 20-year-old disqualified driver was travelling along the old Pacific Highway at Arrawarra on Sunday when he came to the attention of police.

According to Mr Rodgers the police initiated a pursuit and were travelling at 170km per hour but were “not gaining on him”.

His lawyer told the court that spending a night in a cell was a huge “wake up call” for her client.

She also told the court that while all allegations of police pursuits are serious this one lasted “just seconds” and it was not in a “small, crowded backstreet”.

West was also charged with drive motor vehicle during disqualification period (second offence) and drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous (second offence).

He was granted bail to live at Sapphire Beach and not occupy the driver’s seat of any motor vehicle.

The matter will return to court on May 23.