A man intentionally rammed two police cars in an effort to create more space and escape, a court heard on Friday.
Kane Harris Joseph Johnston-Walters appeared before Judge Duncan Harvey in the Invercargill District Court on Friday for sentencing on 18 charges, including intentional damage, five aggravated driving charges, possession of methamphetamine, theft of a motor vehicle and assault with a blunt instrument.
Judge Harvey said the offending happened while Johnston-Walters went on a 12-week crime spree after being released from prison at the end of 2021.
The police summary of facts state on the night of February 2, 2022, Johnston-Walters came to a stop on Renfrew St in Invercargill.
It was then police blocked Johnston-Walters with two cars, parking closely to the front and the back of the car Johnston-Walters was in.
"The defendant deliberately drove forward intentionally crashing into the front passenger door of the police vehicle, pinning the victim inside," the summary states.
"The defendant deliberately reversed into the second police vehicle at the rear to create enough space for him to flee."
Johnston-Walters continued to ram both vehicles causing police to "apply positive pressure on the defendant’s vehicle to safely render it immobile".
A police dog was used to assist extracting him from the vehicle, the summary states.
Judge Harvey said Johnston-Walters had to be grateful to the Crown in its approach to the sentencing.
Both defence counsel Sonia Vidal and the Crown had decided on a rehabilitative approach as Johnston-Walters had secured a position at Odyssey House for drug rehabilitation for July this year.
Judge Harvey said Johnston-Walters had been remanded in custody for more than a year (equivalent of a two-year prison sentence) and while he was taking a risk in letting Johnston-Walters out ahead of entering the residential clinic, he would not be able to attach conditions to his release if he kept him in prison until that time.
He believed Johnston-Walters had employment to go to and also the support of his father who was drug free.
Judge Harvey said a rehabilitative approach might be more productive not just for Johnston-Walters but also the community.
"You must overcome your meth addiction. Provided you can do that — your daughter needs you."
He sentenced Johnston-Walters to two years’ jail, ordered him to pay reparation of $4500 and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.
Johnston-Walters would be subject to random drug testing until entering treatment. Judge Harvey also remitted all outstanding fines.
"I know I’m taking a risk but it does seem it just might work this time," Judge Harvey said.
"It will," Johnston-Walters replied.
"I wish you all the best," Judge Harvey replied.
