Grafton couple Breanna Nowland, Mathew Radburn assault police after stormwater drain crash

A young Clarence Valley couple attacked police officers after their car crashed into a stormwater drain, a court has heard.

Mathew Radburn.

A young South Grafton couple headbutted and kicked police officers after their car crashed into a stormwater drain.

Breanna Nowland, 24, and Mathew Radburn, 23, were self-represented at Grafton Local Court.

Nowland pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol as a learner driver and assaulting a police officer.

Radburn pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer.

Mathew Radburn outside Grafton Local Court.

The pair’s white car caught the attention of police near the intersection of Queen and Arthur streets just after midnight on October 23, court documents state.

Police turned on lights and sirens and the vehicle initially seemed like it was stopping.

But when officers moved to leave their vehicle Nowland and Radburn’s car sped off, “continuing through the intersection”.

Police lost sight of the car on Banksia St and again on North St, a court heard.

The officers eventually caught up with them on Back Lane at Carrs Creek, just outside of Grafton.

Police spotted the pair running into nearby paddocks and the car crashed in a drain, the documents state.

Officers took off after Nowland and Radburn, who “became argumentative and aggressive“ when they were rounded up.

Breanna Nowland.

Radburn tried to break from a police officer’s grip, screamed and headbutted him.

Nowland approached a sergeant and kicked him in the back while that was occurring.

The couple were taken to Grafton Police Station.

Nowland returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.032g – above the legal limit for a learner driver.

On Monday, Magistrate Jeff Linden convicted the pair and sentenced them both to a 12-month community corrections order.