A suspended Kiama driver who led police on a long, dangerous chase through several Illawarra suburbs on Saturday night has pleaded guilty to multiple charges less than 48 hours after his dramatic arrest in bushland near Windang.
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Ryan Twist’s driving was so out of control during the half-hour pursuit that highway patrol officers were forced to call off the chase twice, and had to rely on the police helicopter to monitor his driving route from above.
Even a flat front tyre care of police-deployed road spikes failed to halt Twist’s rampage, with the recent parolee continuing to drive dangerously for several more kilometres before ditching his vehicle.
In police documents tendered to Port Kembla Local Court on Monday, officers said Twist’s driving was incredibly dangerous.
‘‘The risk of potential danger to members of the public was significant due to the high speeds reached and the dangerous manner in which the accused was driving, with no apparent regard for his own safety or the safety of any other vehicle on the road,’’ the statement said.
Magistrate Mark Douglass said Twist’s conduct would likely land him a lengthy stint behind bars, given the serious nature of the offences and Twist’s extensive criminal record.
The court heard officers conducting speed checks on the Princes Highway at Albion Park Rail about midnight on Saturday clocked Twist’s Toyota Camry travelling at 107km/h in a 60km/h zone, causing them to activate their lights and sirens.
When Twist failed to stop, police gave chase, pursuing the sedan through Dunmore and Bombo at speeds of up to 180km/h.
Police said Twist was swerving across both southbound lanes, before pulling into Kiama, where he sped along several suburban streets and through intersections without stopping.
Police were forced to stop the pursuit moments after Twist made his way back onto the Princes Highway and crossed the median strip onto the wrong side of the road.
Polair, the police helicopter, reported Twist driving for more than 1.5 kilometres on the wrong side of the road.
The pursuit was re-activated in Kiama Downs but again terminated when Twist crossed to the wrong side of the road.
Polair followed Twist’s vehicle into Windang where the road spikes were deployed. The front tyre of the Camry deflated, but Twist kept driving around the suburb until jumping from the still moving car at the end of Boronia Avenue and running into bushland.
He was arrested a short time later.
In the car police found a 70-centimetre machete and multiple bags of drugs.
Twist was charged with seven offences, including driving dangerously and drug possession.
He pleaded guilty to the charges in court on Monday and was remanded in custody for sentencing next month.