Martin Sheaffe refused bail after police chase in Wagga Wagga, Wollongong

A ‘vulnerable’ teenager who led police on a high speed chase through southern NSW while having Covid has applied for bail so he can support his pregnant partner.

Teenager Mason Sheaffe hoped to be granted bail so he could find work again to support his girlfriend who is expecting their first child, a court has heard.

But the 18-year-old apprentice carpenter, who pleaded guilty to leading police on a high speed chase in a stolen car through the Goulburn area while unknowingly having Covid, will remain in custody after a bail application was rejected in the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Sheaffe illegally left Wollongong, a lockdown zone, to visit Wagga on September 28. Police facts state the pursuit started after the youth caught the attention of police when he passed a patrol car and revved his engine, showing off a defective exhaust.

When cops approached the P-plater in his Mitsubishi Lancer, he sped off on to the Hume Highway, accelerating up to 140km/h in a 110km/zone and performed two screeching U-turns and cut across the grass median strip.

When he tried to perform a third U-turn, he found a stationary vehicle in the way, which he narrowly missed and crashed into a sign. After driving on to a gravel road and back to the highway, police facts show Sheaffe’s car had a flat tyre and an oil leak.

He drove back to the stationary vehicle, got out of his car and ran towards it, but police blocked him, facts state.

A search of the car uncovered stolen number plates and three hunting knives.

While he was in custody, after displaying flu-like symptoms, he was taken to Wagga Wagga Hospital, where he tested positive for Covid.

Martin Sheaffe faces sentencing next Wednesday. Picture: Craig Dunlop

The Dapto resident pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to negligent driving, stealing a car and failing to comply with Covid restrictions and the directions of police officers.

The incident occurred just two months after he was on bail for driving off with a cop’s arm trapped in his car window after he was caught drink driving on Market St, Wollongong, on July 27. He pleaded guilty to the offence.

Sheaffe, who wasn’t wearing a mask at the time of the offence, turned himself into police the next day at his father’s urging.

At the Supreme Court, Aboriginal Legal Service solicitor Matilda Bogart told the court her client was young, was vulnerable as an Indigenous man in custody, had a limited criminal record and aimed to secure work in his trade so he could provide for his family.

“The applicant has significant community ties to the area it’s proposed he reside,’’ she said.

“He’s expecting a child with his partner. Having a young family … would tie him to the region.

“Additionally, his first experience in custody has been a very sobering experience, I’m instructed, and … this as well tapers any risk of reoffending.’’

However, Judge Robertson Wright rejected bail over the “very serious allegations” so close to Sheaffe’s sentencing next week.

“It would be inappropriate for this court to in any way bite the hands of sentencing court next Wednesday and giving him bail so close to that date to my mind would be inappropriate …,’’ he said.

“I wish you well and hope whatever drove these offences, the underlying issue, whatever it is, you can do something about it for the sake of you, your partner and your child.’’

Sheaffe will be sentenced at Goulburn Local Court for both matters on December 8.