Shawn Isaac Murray jailed for drunken police chase into Wagga

A South Coast man has been jailed for driving six times over the legal alcohol limit while leading police on a dangerous pursuit in the Riverina.

Shawn Isaac Murray appeared in Wagga Local Court on January 31, 2023.

A South Nowra man has been jailed after he was busted driving six times over the legal blood alcohol limit following a police pursuit in the Riverina.

In a statement to media, police say they were patrolling the outer Wagga Wagga suburb of Ashmont about 8.50pm on Monday when they noticed a car driven by Shawn Isaac Murray travelling without its headlights on.

According to police, officers tried to stop the car on Blakemore St but Murray failed to do with a pursuit initiated.

Two sets of road spikes were used when the pursuit continued to Mangoplah – about 30km south of Wagga – and back to Wagga.

The car came to a stop near the intersection of Baylis St and Morrow St.

Murray was arrested about 9.30pm and a roadside breath test was conducted where it returned a reading of 0.300 – six times over the 0.050 limit.

The 33-year-old man from the south coast was taken to Wagga Police Station where he was charged with instigating a police pursuit, high-range drink driving and driving while disqualified.

During his appearance, Murray pleaded guilty to all charges.

He was given a head sentence of 26 months’ jail, with a non parole period of 18 months as well as given a head disqualification of two years.

Murray will be released on parole on July 29, 2024.