Albury man finally caught in congested traffic, later refused breath test

John Andrew Parker was disqualified from driving for 12 months when he fronted Albury Local Court on March 15.

Three days later, police were heading north in Olive Street, Albury, when they saw Parker's white Holden Commodore driving erratically.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Parker had just sped out of McAlroy Mews, in such a manner that he crossed to the wrong side of Olive Street, before quickly correcting.

The incident, and the circumstances that followed, resulted in Parker being charged with dangerous driving, a second offence of driving while disqualified and refusing a breath test.

Defence lawyer Mitchell Brooks said Parker, who was in custody and did not appear in court, had decided to change his not guilty plea to guilty. He will be sentenced June 6.

Police told magistrate Richard Funston that Parker, 41, of Thurgoona Street, had spent "a number of years" in custody at different times and was "likely to get jail again".

Parker's disqualification in March was accompanied by an $800 fine.

MORE COURT STORIES

He was first sighted back behind the wheel on March 18 about 1.15pm.

After pulling on to Olive Street, his car went past police "at speed".

The police car did a u-turn and saw Parker's car accelerate as he headed south before turning left on to Ebden Street, "narrowly missing two adults crossing the road".

One of the pedestrians was holding a young child, police told the court, "and had to take evasive action to avoid being struck".

Several people sitting close by at tables outside a cafe on the corner of Ebden and Olive streets witnessed what Parker did.

Police then turned on their car's lights and sirens as they attempted to catch up to the Commodore, which soon after turned on to David Street and tried to overtake another car but couldn't because of an oncoming vehicle.

Parker's car got stuck in traffic at the intersection of David and Hume streets.

Police then saw Parker throw his keys out the window.

When questioned about his driving, Parker replied: "I don't give a f ... , I would have smoked you if I really wanted to."

Parker was arrested and taken to Albury police station, where he refused to undergo a breath test.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: