A MAN accused of leading police on a pursuit from Swansea to Doyalson on Friday night has been refused bail in Newcastle Local Court.
Police say Matthew John Hollebone, 33, who previously had an address at Karog Street, Blacksmiths, was spotted driving a stolen Nissan Navara on Bowman Street at Swansea about 7.25pm.
Police attempted to catch up to the vehicle, but the driver got away.
A short time later, police spotted the car again on Flowers Road at Catherine Hill Bay.
They attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the driver failed to stop and police launched a pursuit, which travelled out of Catherine Hill Bay, back onto the Pacific Highway and south towards the Central Coast.
Officers stuck with the Navara and the chase continued to Doyalson, where the vehicle left the road and entered bushland, police said.
The driver then ran from the vehicle after it became bogged.
PolAir – the NSW Police aviation support branch – and the NSW Police Dog Squad were called in to assist and police say they were able to track Mr Hollebone and arrested him nearby.
He was taken to Belmont police station where he was charged with police pursuit, stealing a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified, possession of prohibited drugs, outstanding warrants and breaching his bail.
A charge of police pursuit carries a maximum penalty of three years in jail in the case of a first offence, or a maximum of five years in jail for the second or any subsequent offence.
Police refused Mr Hollebone bail to appear in Newcastle Bail Court on Saturday where he was again refused bail and the matter was adjourned to Belmont Local Court on Monday where Mr Hollebone has other matters listed.
