Paul Johnson allegedly the driver in a police pursuit through Rutherford and Weston
A man allegedly got behind the wheel on the weekend, with an 18-year-old passenger, and led police on a pursuit through the Hunter before he was tracked down by PolAir and eventually arrested after a struggle.
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A driver disqualified for life, who was on bail for similar offences, has been charged with a high speed pursuit in the Hunter.
Paul Robert Johnson, 38, was allegedly behind the wheel when police tried to stop a Mitsubishi Magna sedan on Avery St, Rutherford on Sunday.
The alleged pursuit continued through Rutherford, but was then terminated when it became too dangerous.
The vehicle then stopped near bushland south of Scott St at Weston before Johnson and an 18-year-old passenger fled and were later picked up by a woman in a Toyota sedan.
PolAir tracked the two men to a home on Teece St, at Weston and after a short foot pursuit and struggle Johnson was arrested, while the passenger was arrested nearby after he allegedly tried to assault police.
Johnson was charged with nine offences which included two counts of police pursuit, drive whilst disqualified, use class A vehicle with unauthorised number plates, drive recklessly, resist arrest, goods in custody suspected being stolen, possess prescribed restricted substance and custody of a knife in a public place.
He appeared at Maitland Local Court on Monday and did not apply for bail with his matters adjourned until Wednesday.
The 18-year-old was charged with resisting and assaulting police.
He was granted conditional bail to appear in Maitland Local Court on October 7.
Johnson also appeared at Newcastle District Court in relation to a breach of bail regarding other “serious” matters from 2019.
The court heard he breached his curfew, by being absent from the premises where he is required to stay with his mother in Hargraves, in the central west.
Johnson’s solicitor said he was picked up by his partner to assist her with a “serious medical condition” and it was a “mistake” by him because his mother was at work and not available.
He admitted to the court he was without his mother at the time, but denied he was driving.
The court heard Johnson will have a trial for those similar matters in March next year.
Police are continuing their inquiries.