The speed of Joshua McKenzie-McHarg’s vehicle was estimated by a pursuing police officer at more than 160km/h in a 60km/h zone over the North Street bridge in July.

McKenzie-McHarg, 25, was yesterday jailed for 18 months in Albury Local Court yesterday on three sets of charges including the high-speed pursuit which was terminated for safety reasons.

“The community needs some protection in relation to you,” magistrate Megan Greenwood said.

“You have very little troubling offending in this area.

“This type of offending requires the strongest message of general deterrence in the community.”

McKenzie-McHarg was given an 18-month jail term, with a minimum of nine months, over the pursuit and has been banned from driving for three years.

The sentence was backdated to September 5 taking into consideration 76 days already spent in custody with bail refused.

Ms Greenwood said McKenzie-McHarg’s earliest release date was June 4 next year.

He was put on two-year bonds with Probation and Parole Service supervision for several other matters.

McKenzie-McHarg drove his Nissan Pulsar around the SS and A Club car park screeching his tyres and shouted abuse at two security officers after being ejected for going into a women’s toilet.

A police vehicle responded to a radio message and followed McKenzie-McHarg through five sets of traffic lights before terminating a pursuit as he sped along North Street.

He was seen driving while disqualified in August and made a false report to police after crashing his car in September.

Police prosecutor Sgt Ben Hart said the excessive speed by McKenzie-McHarg during the pursuit posed danger to the community.

“A car travelling at that speed can do enormous damage. The manner of driving cannot be tolerated in the community,” he said.

Solicitor Sue Robey said McKenzie-McHarg had a long-standing diagnosis of a mental health problem and suffers from schizophrenia.