LAVINGTON man Daniel Walker led police on a high-speed chase for more than half an hour on Wednesday night and, at one stage, stuck his middle finger up at them, a court has heard.
And after the 70-kilometre chase, when he stopped on a dirt road near Corowa, he got out of his car with a wooden-handled axe and told an officer in a threatening manner: “Go away.”
He quickly dropped it at his feet when the officer, fearing an attack, drew his firearm.
Soon after Walker was handcuffed, it was found he was a disqualified driver and on bail with a condition preventing him being in a vehicle without a licensed driver.
Police saw Walker, 31, driving a Ford Laser in Albury late on Wednesday and decided to breath test him.
However, when police turned to follow him, Walker sped away.
Walker, a disability pensioner, appeared in custody in Albury Local Court yesterday.
He was charged with failing to stop in a police pursuit, disqualified driving, dangerous driving, using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention and breaching bail.
Registrar Wendy Howard said when refusing bail that she needed to consider community protection.
Police prosecutor Sgt Shannon Lewis opposed bail and said Walker had committed four driving offences in two months.
“He poses a risk to the community,” Sgt Lewis said.
The court was told officers from the Albury police pro-active team had seen Walker driving on Gap Road about 10.20pm on Wednesday with two other people in his car.
They turned to follow and Walker sped away before stopping near Bungambrawatha Creek in Jones Street, where his passengers exited.
Officers began to get out of their vehicle when Walker sped away. Police switched on their siren and chased him.
Walker drove at more than 100km/h along Pemberton Street and at up to 150km/h heading towards Howlong.
He sped through the Howlong town area at 120km/h in a 50km/h zone.
A highway patrol car then took over the chase and Walker waved his middle finger at the police vehicle following him. He also stuck his head out the driver’s window.
The rear of his vehicle slid sideways at one stage when Walker steered into gravel when heading towards Corowa, but he managed to correct it.
The charges against Walker have been adjourned until Monday.