A 22-year-old man who allegedly injured a police officer as she tried to stop him driving away from a Christchurch checkpoint in her patrol car was today granted a registrar's remand without a court appearance.
Jamie Alan Sinclair, a labourer, was arrested at his Papanui, Christchurch, home early yesterday after the Saturday night incident at a checkpoint in Buchanans Road, Sockburn.
He was released on bail today by a Christchurch District Court registrar until January 25, to get legal advice.
Police allege Sinclair was stopped at the alcohol checkpoint and because of his high breath-alcohol level his car was impounded for 28 days and his licence was suspended on the spot.
He allegedly returned to the checkpoint later the same night and drove off in a police Holden Commodore patrol car valued at $40,000.
The woman officer was injured when she tried to stop the vehicle being taken. She was dragged about 10m by the car and received injuries to her head and legs. She was discharged from hospital on Sunday, after treatment.
Sinclair has entered no plea to charges of injuring the officer with intent to commit a crime -- unlawfully taking the car -- as well as the unlawful taking, and driving while his licence was suspended.
