Matthew Shaun O’Conner fails jail sentence appeal after ramming cop car in pursuit, holding woman against will at Tweed
A Tweed man locked up for leading cops on a pursuit before slamming into their car and holding a woman against her will has been unsuccessful in his attempt to get out of jail.
Police & Courts
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A Tweed man locked up for leading cops on a pursuit before slamming into their car and holding a woman against her will has been unsuccessful in his attempt to get out of jail.
An appeal by Matthew Shaun O’Conner, 34, over his sentence was dismissed by Judge John Pickering at Lismore District Court on Friday after he pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking or intimidation, breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO), police pursuit and speeding.
He also pleaded guilty to using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, hinder or resisting a police officer and having a knife in public.
Police facts state officers were called to a service station on Minjungbal Dr at about 10.15pm on March 25 following reports a woman was being held against her will by O’Conner.
When officers arrived, he fled the scene in a car with the woman, police facts state.
Tweed/Byron Police District officers pursued the car and shortly after terminated the pursuit due to the manner of driving.
A short time later at 11.20pm, police found the car on Amaroo Dr at Banora Point. O’Conner tried to flee, ramming a police car in the process.
He was arrested following what police allege was a short struggle and taken to Tweed Heads Police Station where he was hit with the charges.
The 25-year-old woman in the car was not injured but was taken to the Tweed Valley Hospital for observation.
O’Conner was sentenced to 18 months in jail, with a nine-month non-parole period by Magistrate Geoff Dunlevy.
His driver’s licence was also disqualified for a year and he must pay $2666 compensation to police. He also must receive assistance for alcohol, drugs and mental heath.
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