A LAVINGTON man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase last week will stay behind bars for another three weeks.
Daniel Robert Walker had asked through his solicitor Andrea McDonald that he get a mental health assessment.
But he demanded that it take place in Junee jail, despite being told by magistrate Tony Murray that this could only happen at Long Bay jail in Sydney.
“Is your client aware it’s going to take six weeks,” Mr Murray asked Miss McDonald.
Walker, 31, continued to try to argue that it could be done within two weeks at Junee because he had heard that it could.
Besides, he believed Junee had made him feel better mentally than he had for ages — and he also wanted to be closer to his mum, who was suffering ill health.
Walker insisted again that he could get the help he needed at Junee, to which Mr Murray replied: “Unfortunately you can’t do that.”
Walker’s matter was stood down from the list several times yesterday before it was resolved.
No order was made regarding a mental health assessment after Miss McDonald told the court that new information she had from her client would be raised at his next appearance.
A mention date of April 8 was set but Walker left his Junee jail video-link interview room to chat and laugh with prison guards before Mr Murray could remand him.
“I’m not going to put up with him just walking out,” Mr Murray said.
“He must have some mental health issues.”
Walker has been charged with failing to stop in a police pursuit, disqualified driving, dangerous driving, using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention and breaching bail.
He was refused bail over the matters last week when the court was told Walker was seen driving on Gap Road in Albury about 10.20pm last Wednesday with two other people in his car.
Police turned to follow and Walker sped away before stopping near Jones Street, where his passengers got out.
During the chase Walker allegedly drove at more than 100km/h along Pemberton Street and at up to 150km/h heading towards Howlong.