A Sebastopol man has been charged with eight counts of driving in the vicinity of an emergency worker, recklessly exposing them to risk, following a police pursuit outside Ballarat on Thursday.
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Tom Smith, 30, appeared in the dock of the Ballarat Magistrates' on Friday for a filing hearing. He has been charged with 13 offences allegedly occurring at Buninyong, Enfield and Ross Creek on Thursday.
Police allege Smith was involved in a police pursuit after reports of an erratic driver on Incolls Road, Enfield, about 11.30am.
Police saw a blue Holden Commodore allegedly driving erratically and kept tabs on the driver at Sebastopol, Wendouree, Ballarat and surrounding areas.
As the driver moved towards the Enfield State Forest, police deployed tyre deflation devices and they were then able to pursue the car and stopped it on Colac-Ballarat Road.
Charge sheets obtained by The Courier states Smith has been charged with eight counts of driving in the vicinity of an emergency worker, recklessly exposing them to risk, and one count each of driving while disqualified and drug-driving.
A damaged police highway patrol car was seen being towed from the roadside.
It is alleged Smith sole fuel, valued at $76, and retained stolen number plates at the Buninyong BP service station, also on Thursday.
Defence lawyer Jon Irwin said his client had used methamphetamine in the days before the alleged offending and custodial management issues included drug issues and soreness.
Smith did not make an application for bail and he was remanded in custody until January for a committal mention.