Somersby: Marni Scowen, 36, charged over police pursuit, outstanding warrants
A woman wanted by Central Coast police for a number of alleged offences has faced court after being arrested following a police pursuit at Somersby. Here’s what happened in court.
Central Coast
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A 36-year-old woman was “confused” when police tried to stop her at Somersby and she “took off in a car” believing she was being chased by unknown men, a court has heard.
Marni Scowen faced Gosford Local Court on Thursday after being arrested at Somersby on Wednesday following a brief pursuit.
Her Legal Aid solicitor told the court Scowen had a long history of mental illness and “appears apologetic and ready to turn her life around”.
She told the court Scowen was suffering some “confusion” when police attempted to pull her over and believed she was being chased by some unknown men.
The Legal Aid solicitor said despite her history she was willing to abide by strict bail conditions.
However Magistrate Jennifer Price questioned what kind of confusion would prompt someone to “take off in a car” when police pulled them over.
“There’s a large number of matters and there’s serious matters,” Magistrate Price said.
“There’s a lengthy history of and demonstration of noncompliance with court orders.”
The court heard Scowen was wanted by police over a number of outstanding warrants for alleged offences including supplying an indictable quantity of prohibited drugs, driving while suspended, dealing with the proceeds of crime and possessing a prohibited weapon.
The court heard Scowen had entered guilty pleas to two previous charges in Port Macquarie Local Court, while another offence had been proven in her absence.
The police prosecutor told the court Scowen posed an “unacceptable risk” of committing further offences and absconding because of her extensive criminal record which showed she “goes to a large effort to avoid apprehension by police”.
Police will allege in court they pulled Scowen over in a white Mercedes sedan at Somersby on Wednesday.
Another woman, 26, who was with Scowen at the time, was arrested and charged with breaching an apprehended violence order, assault, damaging property, intimidate and possessing a prohibited drug,
Police will allege Scowen took off after her friend was arrested only to be stopped a short time later following a brief pursuit.
She was charged with failing to stop during a police pursuit, driving while disqualified, possessing a prohibited drug, trespassing and breaching bail.
Magistrate Price refused Scowen bail and adjourned her to face court again on January 12.
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