Benjamin Geoffrey Lee charged with driving, drug and weapons offences after alleged police chase ends on Merewether Golf Course

An alleged car thief, accused of taking police on a wild drive that ended up on a Newcastle golf course, has also been hit with drug and weapons charges before his bid for bail was knocked out of bounds.

Benjamin Geoffrey Lee, 42, as arrested on Merewether golf course. Picture: Facebook

An alleged car thief, accused of taking police on a wild drive that ended up on a suburban Newcastle golf course, has also been hit with drug and weapons charges before his bid for bail was knocked out of bounds.

Benjamin Geoffrey Lee, 42, was taken into custody in a piece of bushland adjacent to a Merewether golf course fairway after allegedly crashing a stolen car through a chained-off reserve and onto the course on Tuesday afternoon.

Police allege Lee had taken officers on a chase from nearby The Junction about 2pm after the car had earlier been stolen from a Merewether address.

The chase allegedly continued until it reached the end of Henry St, where the car crashed through the chain and onto a reserve next to the Merewether course.

It is alleged Lee ran into the course before he was arrested following a short foot chase.

A chained-off section at the end of Henry St, which leads onto Merewether Golf Course. Picture: Google Maps

During a search of Lee, police allegedly seized 0.16g of methamphetamine.

He was taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with taking and driving a conveyance without the consent of its owner, not stopping and driving recklessly during a police pursuit, and driving while disqualified.

The popular Merewether golf course is nestled within the inner-city suburbs of Newcastle. Picture: Facebook

In relation to earlier alleged drug supply and weapons offences, he was also hit with charges that included supplying an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug, possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit, using a prohibited weapon contrary to a prohibition order, and two counts of possessing a prohibited drug.

Lee unsuccessfully applied for bail and magistrate Greg Moore remanded him in custody to reappear in court on January 22.