The Entrance: Paul Sydney Merritt, disqualified until 2065, charged with pursuit, drugs

A man disqualified from driving until 2065 allegedly tried to flee after leading police on a pursuit reaching speeds of 160km/h before his vehicle broke down in a cloud of smoke, a court heard.

A disqualified driver was on parole for previous offences when he allegedly sped away from a RBT before leading police on a high speed pursuit, a court has heard.

Paul Sydney Merritt, 42, of Tuggerawong, appeared at Wyong Local via video link on Monday charged with three offences including failing to stop during a police pursuit, driving while disqualified and possessing prohibited drugs.

He was not required to enter any pleas.

His arrest came after Tuggerah Lakes general duties police and Highway Patrol officers joined forces to conduct a weekend crackdown on alcohol and drug driving dubbed Operation Fume.

Tuggerah Lakes general duties and Highway Patrol officers were conducting mobile RBT duties on Wilfred Barrett Drive. Picture: Supplied.

The court heard police were conducting mobile random breath testing south on Wilfred Barrett Drive, at Norah Head, about 11:00pm on Saturday, June 25, when they attempted to stop a black Mazda 3 sedan.

The court heard the driver allegedly ignored the direction and continued south towards The Entrance and a pursuit was initiated.

Magistrate Elizabeth Ellis said, according to a set of police facts, Mr Merritt reached speeds of 160km/h in an 80km/h zone and 140km/h in a 60km/h residential area.

The court heard when the sedan reached The Entrance it began to suffer mechanical failure and emitted copious amounts of black smoke before Mr Merritt allegedly got out on Tuggerah Parade and attempted to flee on foot.

Magistrate Ellis said a number of officers chased Mr Merritt who dropped a black wallet, which was later allegedly found to contain 2g of methylamphetamine.

The court heard checks revealed his licence had been disqualified until 2065.

Magistrate Ellis said Mr Merritt was on bail at the time for allegedly being in custody of a knife in public, as well as being on parole for drug supply offences.

The police prosecutor told the court Mr Merritt had served previous periods of imprisonment for driving while disqualified and had demonstrated “a clear pattern of trying to avoid apprehension”.

His Legal Aid solicitor told the court Mr Merritt “does have a drug problem” but could abide by strict bail conditions that he live with his partner at Tuggerawong and abstain from drugs and alcohol.

However Mr Merritt was refused bail to reappear on July 6.

Meanwhile a few hours after Mr Merritt’s arrest, police stopped a different car in poor condition at The Entrance.

The driver of that vehicle was identified as the owner of the earlier Mazda sedan involved in the pursuit and a friend of Mr Merritt.

Police established the driver was out looking for his car, which had been driven by Mr Merritt, and after identifying several serious safety concerns, police issued the driver a number of defect notices.

Police will allege the driver also failed a roadside drug test and was taken to The Entrance Police Station where he tested positive to methylamphetamine, which will be subject to further analysis.