Geoff Fieldsend: Trangie man charged with police pursuit, drug supply

Police allege a man who was seen leaving a drug house was later spotted running through backyards before he was captured near a sock full of ice.

A man with an “extensive criminal history” has been granted bail in court after he spent a weekend in police custody following an allegedly lengthy high-speed pursuit through the streets of Dubbo.

Geoffrey Shaun Fieldsend was arrested on October 8 after police saw him leaving a known drug house on Cobborah Road in Dubbo.

Trangie man Geoffrey Fieldsend was charged with drug supply and police pursuit offences after an incident in Dubbo on October 8, 2021. Picture: Geoff Fieldsend/Facebook

In court documents, police allege the 33-year-old Trangie man was behind the wheel of a silver Toyota Aurion when he left the house about 9.30pm and led police on a pursuit across Dubbo which saw him reach speeds of about 100km/h in a 50km/h zone.

According to police, the dispute had to be terminated because Mr Fieldsend allegedly drove the car onto the wrong side of the road at Fitzroy Street.

The car was later found abandoned at Strickland Crescent and community members told police a man was seen running through backyards in the area.

After allegedly running from police, Mr Fieldsend was arrested at the scene.

Police allegedly found $1460 in cash inside Mr Fieldsend’s clothing.

Almost 14 grams of methylamphetamine, also known as the drug ice, was found in a sock near where Mr Fieldsend was found.

He was charged with police pursuit, taking part in the supply of drugs and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime.

Mr Fieldsend entered no pleas in Dubbo Local Court on Monday when he made his bid for bail.

Defence lawyer Jessica Meech told the court aspects of the police case against Mr Fieldsend were weak and she doubted whether it could be proved beyond reasonable doubt that he knowingly dealt with proceeds of crime.

Ms Meech said while Mr Fieldsend might have been reckless, he needed to be released on bail to care for his family.

“His wife suffers with depression and bipolar disorder,” Ms Meech said.

“He hasn’t been able to call her since his arrest on Friday evening.

“Mr Fieldsend has a history of complying with parole and court orders.”

The court heard Mr Fieldsend was employed at a wheat silo in Trangie and he completed parole for another sentence in July.

Dubbo Local Court magistrate Gary Wilson granted bail. Picture: Ryan Young

Ms Meech said conditions in custody would be especially onerous for Mr Fieldsend because Covid restrictions were in place and he had been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

Police prosecutor, Sergeant Michelle Bartlett, told the court there was a strong case against Mr Fieldsend and his “extensive criminal history” was a cause for concern to the community.

“I also note the nature of the police pursuit … it appears on the facts, that it went for a fair amount of time over a fair amount of distance within the streets of Dubbo.

“The pursuit appears to have been initiated to avoid detection, given the items found on and in the vicinity of the defendant.”

Magistrate Gary Wilson granted bail to Mr Fieldsend and imposed a series of strict conditions, including a curfew between 8pm to 6am and requirement to report to police daily.

The case returns to court in December.