‘Scared’ teen ran from police

A man being pursued by police fled over farmland when he reached a road end, then reported his car stolen, a court has heard.

It was the end of an eventful evening for Jesse Kaleb Pattison, of Opunake, who had earlier done a burnout outside a party, and had an altercation with someone at the gate, the summary of facts said.

Pattison appeared in Hawera District Court on Wednesday for sentencing on five charges related to the evening of May 13.

He had previously admitted driving while disqualified, common assault, sustained loss of traction, failing to stop for police and making a false statement.

About 10.40pm the defendant drove his vehicle to a party at a Warea property and began doing a burnout, resulting in the rear wheels losing traction and smoke coming from the tyres. Pattison then went to join the party but was told he wasn’t allowed in.

He took exception to this and said ‘open the f....ng gate’ before pushing the gate open and shoving the victim in the chest with enough force to cause the victim to stumble.

He left the address shortly afterward to drop off a mate before heading back toward the party.

On the way a police patrol attempted to stop him, but the defendant drove on along a narrow rural road at 90kmh.

When Pattison reached the end of the road he ditched his vehicle and decamped over farmland to evade police capture. He returned to the party where he organised a new ride home, then rang police to report his car stolen.

‘‘In explanation the defendant said: ‘I was scared and sh***ing my pants. I knew I didn’t have a licence and had drunk a can of codys,’’ the summary said.

Pattison’s lawyer, Kelly Marriner, said the defendant, just 19, had a lot of growing up to do and asked he be given another chance.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Steve Hickey asked Judge Chris Sygrove to disqualify Pattison for two years to keep him off the road.

Judge Chris Sygrove told Pattison his behaviour was well below that expected of someone his age.

He disqualified Pattison for 18 months, and sentenced him to a total of four months community detention and six months’ supervision. - Catherine Groenestein