Michelle Dickson faces police pursuit charges in Lismore court

A young woman who led police on a dangerous chase in a busy residential street “while under the influence of a variety of drugs” says she is sorry for what happened.

Michelle Regina Dickson faced Lismore Local Court on Monday. Picture: Facebook

A young driver who was affected by drugs when she led police on a pursuit was lucky no one was injured by her dangerous actions, a court has heard.

West Ballina resident Michelle Regina Dickson, 22, pleaded guilty in Lismore Local Court on Monday to driving dangerously in a police pursuit.

The court was told Dickson engaged in a dangerous police pursuit on a populated residential street earlier in April this year.

Magistrate Jeff Linden said the chase involved speed, crossing to the incorrect side of the road, veering in front of traffic and overtaking.

He said at the time, Dickson was also on a P2 licence and “under the influence of a variety of drugs”.

“The details of the pursuit are just disturbing and how no one was injured is a matter of good luck,” he said.

Dickson’s solicitor, Katja McPherson, told the court the “facts are quite poor to say the least” but said her client had since undergone rehabilitation and was involved in a number of programs.

She said her client had become “lucid and clear” since detoxing.

“In my opinion she seems very much repentant and remorseful,” Ms McPherson said.

“When I asked her if she had anything she’d like to say to the court today she said ‘I’m really very sorry for everything that happened’.”

She added Dickson would also re-engage with studying, something she “couldn’t wait to get back into”.

Mr Linden acknowledged Dickson had spent three months on remand as he convicted her and sentenced her to a 12 month intensive corrections order.

She was also banned from driving for two years.