Man in custody facing careless driving charges

A Christchurch man charged following a police pursuit on Saturday that was ended by a fence, has been remanded in custody until Monday.

Tony Elando Cullen, 43, faces two charges of careless driving, failing to stop for police, escaping police custody, failing to stop to ascertain injury and theft of a motor vehicle.

He appeared in Timaru District Court yesterday in front of Judge Joanna Maze, and was remanded, without plea, in custody until Monday.

Police allege a car Cullen was driving had been involved in a crash with a motorcycle in Theodosia St at 3pm on Saturday.

Police stopped the vehicle, which had been stolen from Christchurch, near Makikihi about 4.30pm.

After three passengers got out, the driver took off, sparking a 9km pursuit at speeds of more than 100kmh on country roads. The car came to rest in a paddock after the man failed to take a corner and went through a fence.

Judge Maze adjourned the matters to allow Cullen to deal with a burglary charge he faces in Christchurch.

Other matters

Mark Joseph O’sullivan, 54 of Auckland; driving while disqualified – fined $350, disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Dwayne Norman Khan Deer, 31, unemployed, of Timaru; assaulting police officer, refusing to give a blood sample – six months’ supervision, disqualified from driving indefinitely, 120 hours’ community work.

Daniel O’keefe, 41, dairy worker, of Geraldine; wilful damage – to pay $243 reparation.

Troy Duanne Hamuera Reuben, 35, unemployed, of Timaru; fighting – fined $150.