Twaine Edwards: Dubbo man hid on grain silo after alleged police pursuit

A 30-year-old man accused of triggering a police pursuit after allegedly failing to pay for fuel in a stolen car had absconded from a mental health facility, a court heard.

A Dubbo man charged with a string of offences including robbery, fraud and dangerous driving during a police pursuit has had his bid to be granted bail to attend a drug rehab facility knocked back in court.

Police allege Twaine Edwards, 30, stole a Ford Fairlane from Binnaway, about 120km northeast of Dubbo.

Twaine Edwards applied for bail in Dubbo Local Court on Friday. Picture: Ryan Young

Afterwards he allegedly failed to pay for fuel at a service station in Gilgandra on Thursday.

Mr Edwards was accused of later driving the Ford along the Newell Hwy, about 18 km north of Dubbo.

When police tried to stop the vehicle, Mr Edwards allegedly failed to pull over and a pursuit commenced however it was terminated a short time later because of safety concerns.

The Ford was located abandoned in Purvis Lane at Dubbo and after an extensive search, police found Mr Edwards climbing up the outside of a grain silo.

Mr Edwards was arrested and charged with a string of offences including dangerous driving, triggering a police pursuit, robbery in company, dishonestly obtaining financial advantage, driving while disqualified and taking and driving conveyance without consent of owner.

In Dubbo Local Court on Friday defence lawyer Molly Bland said if Mr Edwards was granted bail he had a place available to him at the Orana Haven drug rehabilitation facility.

“There seems to be some links [from the alleged offending] … to his mental health,” Ms Bland said.

“With appropriate conditions, bail can and ought to be granted in the circumstances.”

Police prosecutor Sergeant Michelle Bartlett told the court Mr Edwards had an “extensive criminal history” and committed the alleged offences after he absconded from a mental health facility.

“A number of drivers had to take evasive action to avoid a collision with the offending vehicle,” Sgt Bartlett said.

“It is evident the defendant’s offending is escalating.”

Magistrate Gary Wilson rejected the bail application and adjourned Mr Edwards’ case to November 24.