Learner driver Marcus William Betts faces Taree court after chaotic police chase through Cundletown, Lansdowne

High on a cocktail of drugs and alcohol, a suspended Mid-North Coast L-plater led cops on a high-speed chase, whizzing past kids playing - and later questioned whether he should’ve been pursued under Skye’s Law.

Taree Police Station.

A suspended L-plater who led police on a wild chase while high on a cocktail of drugs and alcohol – speeding and overtaking dangerously through a main street where children were playing – believed officers could not chase him down due to Skye’s Law.

The NSW legislation was put in place after Skye Sassine, 19-months-old, was killed when the car she was travelling in was hit by another vehicle during a Sydney chase in 2009.

Questioned by police at hospital after his arrest on Sunday, Marcus William Betts said: “Am I going to get charged with Skye’s Law? Aren’t you supposed to stop pursuing me if I driver recklessly?”.

The law is intended to deter the evasion of police on the road, preventing injuries and deaths.

Magistrate Allison Hawkins told Taree Local Court court on Monday that Betts already had a “terrible record for such a young man”.

He has pleaded guilty to five charges relating to a chase through local streets around noon on Sunday – including the main street of Cundletown, where children were playing in a park.

Marcus Betts was denied bail in Taree Local Court on Monday, August 5.

Officers noticed Betts driving a blue Hyundai Getz along Princes St and he sped off as they approached, overtaking three cars over unbroken lines, police state in court documents.

The police switched on their vehicle’s warning lights, but Betts continued along Main St “well in excess” of the 60km/h speed limit. The busy street includes homes, churches and public parks and other motorists were forced to take evasive action.

The 22-year-old made no attempt to stop so police cut the chase short and watched Betts turn right into High St at estimated speeds of about 100km/h in the 50km/h residential zone.

Betts doubled back to Main St and looked directly at officers before he again took off, hitting estimated speeds of up 160km/h and overtaking cars as he headed towards Lansdowne.

Main St, Cundletown is in a busy residential area including parks, halls, shops and houses.

At the intersection of Lansdowne and Brimbin roads, Betts crossed onto the wrong side of the road, but continued speeding and overtaking before he headed into gravel Yarratt Rd.

Eventually, road spikes were used to stop the Hyundai car near the intersection of Yarratt and Cedar Party roads. Betts and a male passenger ran into bushes near an egg farm, police state.

Inside the car, officers found an empty 700ml bottle of Jack Daniel’s whisky in the driver’s side footwell, as well as an empty can of premixed Jack Daniel’s in the centre console.

Police tried to breath test Betts a number of times, but he refused to blow into the mouthpiece – and instead sucked on it.

Betts was deemed well-affected by both drugs and alcohol and officers noted slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and that he was unsteady on his feet.

Manning Base Hospital, Taree. Picture: Janine Watson

When he was taken to the police station, Betts’ condition worsened and he started vomiting and sweating profusely, so he was taken to hospital.

He was later questioned under caution and asked police about Skye’s Law, the court documents state.

Betts pleaded guilty to not stopping and driving dangerously when pursued, disqualified driving, refusing or failing to submit a breath test, drink and drug driving, as well as drug possession.

He was remanded in custody following his arrest on Sunday and he appeared via videolink attempting to be released on bail

His lawyer Matthew Giles told the court his client could live at his grandmother’s house in Wingham and abide by a strict curfew, but Betts’ application was denied.

The case was adjourned to September 16.

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