Cameron McManus convicted of police pursuit after he panicked while driving

Cameron Blake McManus, 19, of Anson Street, was given a community-based custodial sentence for the pursuit when he faced Orange Local Court on Monday.

Solicitor Neil Jones said McManus forgot his driver's licence was disqualified until he saw police, and the pursuit did not involve high speed.

"Obviously the police pursuit is a serious matter by the way of driving," Mr Jones said.

"Obviously it would be a lot less [serious] had he not driven on the footpath.

"He's a young man with limited antecedents, he's never faced a custodial sentence before, the fact that he does now terrifies him."

According to police, officers were driving south on Leeds Parade when they saw a Ford Falcon travelling towards them about 6.30pm on November 11, 2019.

The police made a u-turn so they could stop the car for a random breath test but McManus turned right onto Margaret Street and a pursuit was initiated when he accelerated.

After McManus turned left onto Jilba Street smoke began to pour from the bonnet of this car.

However, he continued driving about 60km/h in a 50km/h zone and turned onto Phillip Street then Leeds Parade and accelerated to about 90km/h in the 80km/h zone before turning left onto the Northern Distributor Road.

As the pursuit continued onto Clergate Road he did not exceed the speed limit however, he mounted the gutter at Telopia Way and cut the corner when he drove back onto the Northern Distributor Road.

The car stopped in Anson Street at the intersection with Melville Place.

McManus was previously convicted in his absence when he failed to appear in court on January 28, 2020. He was convicted for not attending court, which was part of his bail conditions.

Magistrate David Day said there needed to be general deterrence for the community. He gave McManus a seven-month intensive correction order, 80 hours of community service and disqualified his driver's licence for 12 months for the police pursuit.

For driving while disqualified McManus was given a 12-month community correction order and 80 hours of community service as well as another 12-month driving disqualification.