Drunk dragged from car

Tyre spikes and capsicum spray used in chase

A MAN led police on a drunken car chase through the streets of Hobart before officers spiked his tyres, smashed his windows and dragged him out of his car.

George William McGregor faced the Hobart Magistrates Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to all charges.

He faces two counts of evading police and one count of reckless driving, speeding and drunk driving.

The offences date back to August 29, 2021 when McGrePark, gor was driving the Southern Outlet towards Hobart at 97km/h in a 80km/h speed zone.

The court heard he was pinged by a mobile laser device and flagged down by police, but did not stop. He was later pulled over near the intersection of Macquarie and Molle streets by officers, who say they noticed a powerful smell of alcohol “emanating” from inside the car.

The prosecution said McGregor was “confused and slow to answer questioning”, refusing to co-operate with police or to get out of the vehicle. A few minutes later McGregor sped off towards Rokeby, crossing the Tasman Bridge and breaking the speed limit again on the South Arm Highway.

He arrived at his home at Duntroon Drive, Rokeby, parking across the front lawn.

Soon afterwards police turned up and tried to open the car door, but McGregor had locked it.

Officers repeatedly warned McGregor they would smash his windows, but he refused to unlock the doors.

Police shattered the driver side window as McGregor slammed the accelerator, skidding sideways and careening between two police cars before fleeing down Duntroon Drive.

He led police on a car chase, swerving on to the wrong side of the road several times to avoid getting his tyres spiked. Police managed to spike his tyres near the Richmond Rd intersection and he swerved towards a police officer forcing them to jump out of harm’s way.

Officers bashed in his passenger side window and tried to spray him with capsicum spray, but McGregor managed to drive back down Richmond Rd.

Police caught up with him near the Barilla Bay Holiday showering him with capsicum spray as he attempted to shield his face with a towel.

The car came to a stop and police dragged him out of the vehicle.

At this point he suffered a heart issue and was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital for treatment and a blood test which returned a reading of 0.169.

He was charged and bailed from his hospital bedside.

The case was adjourned for plea in mitigation and he will reappear at the Hobart Magistrates Court on September 21.