Drug Race: Methamphetamine Addict Rammed Police Cars Twice During High Speed ​​Chase

A meth-drugged driver led police on a chase from Gisborne to Matawai, reaching speeds of 150 km / h per hour and stopping twice to reverse patrol cars, the Gisborne District Court heard.

William Thomas Sheridan, 30, was sentenced yesterday by Judge Turitea Bolstad to two years and seven months in prison on charges he previously pleaded guilty to: possession of methamphetamine for supply, two counts of assault with a blunt weapon (a automobile), recklessness. driving, failing to stop, and driving while disqualified for the third time or later.

The manhunt, on July 7 of last year, began on Ormond Rd.

Sheridan was instructed by police to stop, but he sped up, driving at speeds of up to 150 km / h on State Highway 2, sometimes crossing the center line and flashing his lights in an effort to lose his pursuers.

An approaching car had to take evasive action.

At one point, Sheridan stopped in the middle of the road and backpedaled toward a patrol car behind him, who also had to take evasive action.

He continued forward, turning onto a secondary road, stopping again and reversing at high speed, this time colliding with a patrol car, which had stopped due to the dangerous situation.

Sheridan took off again and was eventually stopped after police used a patrol car to force his vehicle off the road.

During the chase, he was seen throwing objects out of his car window.

When stopped, Sheridan was found with 30g of methamphetamine, more than the amount presumed for supply, in six bags. He claimed it was for personal use.

Attorney Alistair Clarke said the crime was due to Sheridan’s serious drug addiction, particularly methamphetamine. It was evidenced by the supporting documents provided to the court, including from an addiction practitioner.

Sheridan was sorry and wanted to address her drug use, Clarke said.

The starting points of the judgments presented by Clarke and the Crown were similar, although they were reached through different approaches.

Judge Bolstad took Clarke’s approach.

Imprisoned for 2 years, 7 months

It set a starting point of three years in prison for the supply possession charge, raising it by 10 months for the assault with a weapon charges and another six months for the remaining driving charges.

An adjustment for the entirety (four-month reduction) was followed by a three-month increase to reflect Sheridan’s prior relevant convictions and offenses while on bail.

Sheridan’s recent previous relevant convictions included driving while disqualified, careless driving, possession of cannabis for supply, cultivation of cannabis, possession of cannabis, and possession of drug utensils.

Discounts totaling 35% were applied for Sheridan’s guilty pleas (25%), remorse and personal circumstances, resulting in the final sentence of two years and seven months in prison.

Clarke asked the judge to consider rolling back the mandatory disqualifications for driving when Sheridan entered his guilty pleas and was convicted.

Sheridan was a self-employed possum trapper and farrier, so his skills were highly appreciated, Clarke said.

A driving ban would affect Sheridan’s ability to get to workplaces and, ultimately, his rehabilitation, for which his employment would be crucial.

Crown attorney Lara Marshall argued that public protection was a competing interest, which should take precedence.

Sheridan should not be allowed to get back behind the wheel sooner than he should.

The disqualifications could be imposed simultaneously, which would shorten the duration of the disqualifications, but should not begin before this sentence, Marshall said.

Judge Bolstad agreed. While she wanted to encourage and support Sheridan to stay off drugs and get back to work, she also had to consider the public interest, she said.

The judge imposed the disqualifications at the same time, for 12 months until next December.

In other presentations, Clarke noted that Sheridan would be eligible for parole soon.

Although he was now drug free, it was because he was in a controlled environment.

Sheridan would need the help of some kind of community drug rehab program to maintain that status, Clarke said.

Judge Bolstad agreed to record the requirement in her sentencing notes as a reference to the parole board.