Raphael Van Aalst: Disqualified driver jailed after nabbed by cops while driving to court

A drug-fuelled driver banned for two years for leading police on a 140km/h pursuit, has been sentenced after being caught behind the wheel again — while on his way to court.

Raphael Anatole Van Aalst, 43, of Waterloo, outside Manly Local Court in November 2023, where he faced charges of being involved in a police pursuit while under the influence of methamphetamine and cannabis. Picture: Manly Daily

A Sydney man caught behind the wheel just weeks after being banned from driving for two years for speeding away from police at 140km/h and crashing his car, has been jailed.

A drug-affected Raphael Anatole Van Aalst, 43, had led police on a short pursuit, then jumped into the Lane Cove River in February last year in an effort to avoid a random drug test.

But despite Manly Local Court, hitting him with the two-year licence disqualification in February this year, Van Aalst soon got behind the wheel again.

On April 3, he was spotted by police in Cammeray while driving himself to court at Parramatta where he was to be sentenced for possessing “crystal meth”.

Raphael Van Aalst, 43, of Waterloo, outside Manly Local Court on February 8. Picture: Manly Daily.

In Manly Local Court on February 8, Van Aalst, unemployed of Waterloo, had narrowly avoided jail after he was convicted of a string of serious driving offences.

He had pleaded guilty to one count each of police pursuit (not stop) drive dangerously; fail to comply with signal to stop vehicle; not give particulars to other driver; drive under the influence of a prohibited drug and; drive while licence suspended.

Manly Court heard that Van Aalst had crashed his car after trying to outrun police at speeds of 140km/h when they tried to stop him for a random breath test at Northwood in February 2023.

He accelerated away in a Subaru Forester, leading police on the short high speed pursuit before his car collided with another vehicle at a set of traffic lights. He then jumped from his smashed up car and leapt into the nearby Lane Cove River.

Raphael Anatole Van Aalst (right), 43, outside Manly Local Court in November, 2023. Picture: Manly Daily

Police stated in a facts sheet tendered to court on February 8 that staff at Royal North Shore Hospital, where he was taken after the collision, were of the opinion that Van Aalst was in a “drug psychosis”.

In relation to the latest charges, Van Aalst pleaded guilty to one count each of drive while disqualified and give false particulars to police.

On Thursday Manly court magistrate Robyn Denes said she was particularly concerned with Van Aalst driving so soon after she had taken him off the road for two years.

“At the end of the day, whether or not Mr Van Aalst has drug or alcohol issues, he simply can’t drive,” Ms Denes said.

She sentenced him to four months jail, including time already served from his arrest on April 3.