Drink-driver Jacob Leonard Critchley pleads guilty to police pursuit

A drink-driver has been sentenced after leading police on a high speed pursuit through a shopping centre car park “like a racetrack” before returning a reading three times the legal limit.

A man told police he did not want to stop when saw their flashing lights “because I’ve been drinking” before he was dragged from the driver’s seat of his car, a court has heard.

Jacob Leonard Critchley faced Wyong Local Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to failing to stop during a police pursuit.

The 25-year-old from Wyong had already pleaded guilty to high-range drink-driving after returning a blood alcohol reading of 0.157.

An agreed set of facts states police were patrolling Long Jetty about 11pm on July 31 last year when they passed an oncoming Mazda hatchback travelling at speed on Lindsay Ave.

Critchley turned into Bay Village Rd and the shopping centre car park. Picture: file

Police did a U-turn to catch up to the car as it turned into McLachlan Ave reaching speeds of 90km/h in a 50km/h zone.

The Mazda turned left onto The Entrance Rd and “remained at high speed” as it turned again into the shopping centre car park via Bay Village Rd.

The facts state Critchley turned left into the undercover car park.

“At this location police activated lights and sirens, as this was the only time police managed to get close enough to the accused, who was treating the area like a racetrack,” the facts state.

“The accused was coming to a stop or appeared to be slowing in order to navigate the area, (however) on seeing the lights and siren of the unmarked police vehicle, he has accelerated again, this time running straight over a cement block.

“The accused has reached speeds well over the parking area speed limit, estimated to be about 100km/h by the time he reached the access road leading to Bay Village Rd.”

Jacob Critchley, 25, of Wyong, outside Wyong Local Court where he pleaded guilty to leading police on a pursuit and high range drink-driving. Picture: NewsLocal

The facts state Critchley overtook a car but was forced to slow down for other cars in the car park before coming to a dead end.

The facts state officers immediately got out of their car and ran over to Critchley, who was seated in the driver’s seat, and ordered he get out.

Critchley initially refused to comply and was “forcefully removed and placed on the ground and handcuffed” the facts state.

“There was a passenger in the front passenger seat who remained seated,” the facts added.

Police activated their body worn video and attempted to subject Critchley to a road side breath test but he failed to provide a sufficient sample.

“The accused was clearly and visibly affected by intoxicating liquor,” the facts state.

“When asked why he did not stop he said: `I saw the lights and didn’t want to stop because I’ve been drinking’.”

Jacob Critchley, 25, of Wyong, outside Wyong Local Court where he pleaded guilty to leading police on a pursuit and high range drink-driving. Picture: NewsLocal

He was taken to Wyong Police Station where he eventually provided a blood alcohol reading of 0.157.

His Legal Aid solicitor told the court Critchley was homeless and living out of his car at the time following a falling out with his brother.

However he said Critchley had since found rented accommodation, was back taking medication and counselling for his mental health issues and had a job waiting for him as a labourer.

Magistrate Elizabeth Ellis said it was lucky he did not “blow yourself up” or kill someone else travelling at those speeds in a car park.

She convicted him and sentenced him to an intensive corrections order for 12 months with the condition he abstain from alcohol and perform 150 hours of community service work.

Magistrate Ellis also disqualified him from driving for a minimum of 12 months with a further 18 months on an interlock device.