Long Jetty: Ronald Godbold refused bail after alleged police pursuit

A man had been released on parole a week before allegedly leading police on a pursuit through Long Jetty, before crashing into another car leaving a woman trapped, a court has heard.

A man was tackled to the ground following an alleged police pursuit yelling “I’m not going back to jail” a week after he was released on parole, a court has heard.

Ronald Godbold, 30, of Killarney Vale, appeared via video link at Wyong Local Court on Monday charged with failing to stop during a police pursuit, drive while disqualified and resisting an officer in the execution of their duty.

Police allege at 10.50am on Friday, February 4, Tuggerah Lakes officers were patrolling Long Jetty when they saw an alleged disqualified driver in a Nissan X-Trail travelling north on Tuggerah Parade.

Ronald Godbold, 30, of Killarney Vale, was refused bail after being charged with leading police on a pursuit through Long Jetty. Picture: Facebook.

Police activated lights and warning sirens and a pursuit was initiated when the driver allegedly failed to stop.

The X-Trail continued onto Watkins St before colliding with a Toyota Corolla at the intersection of Pacific Street.

The driver of the Corolla — a 24-year-old female — was trapped by confinement for a short period, before she was released and taken to Gosford Hospital.

The court heard Mr Godbold allegedly climbed out of the X-Trail’s driver’s side window and ran from the scene before he “had to be tackled to the ground” after a short foot chase.

Magistrate Elizabeth Ellis said the police pursuit allegedly reached speeds of 80km/h in a 50km/h zone and Mr Godbold allegedly drove over the top of a roundabout before colliding with the other vehicle.

Magistrate Ellis said the female driver suffered a suspected broken collar bone and was taken to John Hunter Hospital.

She said Mr Godbold’s car also collided with a fence.

Godbold faced Wyong Local Court on Monday. (AAP Image/Sue Graham)

Magistrate Ellis said Mr Godbold had been released on parole a week earlier on January 25 after serving one year and five months jail for a separate offence.

“It’s the comments ‘I’m not going back to jail’ which causes me concern,” Magistrate Ellis said.

Mr Godbold’s Legal Aid solicitor applied for bail stating his client could live with his partner at a Long Jetty caravan park and report to police daily.

However the police prosecutor opposed bail, stating Mr Godbold had an “extensive criminal history” which included convictions for driving while disqualified and leading police on a pursuit in the past.

Magistrate Ellis said Mr Godbold posed an “unacceptable risk” of committing further offences and refused bail.

He was adjourned to face court again on February 28.