Police chase accused denies all charges
A Queenstown man charged with assaulting a police officer to avoid arrest after a police chase across Christchurch, pleaded not guilty to nine charges in the Christchurch District Court today.
Marcus Brian James Forde, 27, allegedly failed to stop when police saw him driving erratically in Marshland Road on October 30. The police followed him but called the chase off on Linwood Avenue because of the danger to other road users.
The car was then seen in the Hillmorton area and police set up cordons to try to stop it.
It is alleged Forde rammed a patrol car twice, and then drove towards an officer who was going to arrest him. After a struggle between the driver, a police dog and handler, and police, the driver was tasered and arrested.
Two police officers were injured, one with a cut to the hand, and the other with back injuries when the police car was rammed.
Today Forde pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault, failing to stop for police, reckless driving, possession of cannabis, possession of drugs equipment, possession of a set of knuckle dusters, and possession of methamphetamine.
He already had charges of driving under the influence of a controlled drug and careless driving before the court.
Defence counsel Josh Lucas said Forde was applying for bail to an Auckland address.
Judge Tony Couch agreed to granting the bail application, and said Forde had to remain in custody until his flight to Auckland, travel with his mother and stay with her until boarding the flight, then stay at one of two bail addresses in Auckland.
He is not to consume alcohol or drugs, and is forbidden to drive.
He was remanded to a case review session on January 19.
Category: News
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