A man appeared in the Northam Courthouse today after failing to stop for police and driving his vehicle into a tree to avoid it being seized on May 19, 2017.
Christopher David Cullen pleaded guilty to driving on a suspended licence, failing to comply with a direction to stop, possessing cannabis and a smoking implement.
Sergeant Phil Milne told the court police had signalled for Cullen to stop by activating their vehicle lights, but he kept driving for a further three kilometres down the Great Eastern Highway in Wundowie, before swerving off the road into a tree.
The 30-year-old told police he thought they were going to seize his car so he wanted to destroy it, said Sgt Milne.
Police found a small amount of cannabis in the vehicle and a smoking implement.
Cullen told the court he “wasn’t impressed” when he was stopped by police at the end of his 1250 kilometre journey to pick up his car from Southern Cross.
Cullen said he does not work and receives a disability pension for mental illness.
Magistrate Jennifer Hawkins said she took into account his early plea and personal circumstances.
Cullen was fined $600 for failing to stop for police, $250 for driving on a suspended licence, $150 possessing cannabis and $100 for possessing the smoking implement.