A "rambunctious" Balclutha woman took police on a chaotic low-speed chase after crashing into a parked car, a court has heard.
Sarah Joyce Anderson (33) could have legitimately received an electronically monitored sentence, Judge Joanna Maze said, but that would preclude her from attending a specific drug-and-alcohol rehabilitation programme.
The defendant got 12 months’ intensive supervision instead.
The September 30 incident began conventionally enough.
Anderson, driving a friend’s Holden Commodore, hit a parked car in Prince Albert Rd, propelling the stationary vehicle 20m and into a power pole.
Police attended the scene and breath-tested the defendant, which showed no alcohol in her system.
Anderson became upset when officers advised her the Holden was not safe to be driven home, and they would not pay for it to be towed.
Despite repeated warnings, she got in the damaged car and drove off.
For 4km, the defendant led police on a 30kmh pursuit, ignoring their flashing lights and attempts to pull her over. There were further complications. Several times the bonnet of the car "flew up", covering the windscreen.
Court documents described how the rogue driver would dash out and lower the panel before continuing with the ponderous pursuit.
Eventually she was arrested on Isadore Rd and taken to the central station.
Because of her behaviour, officers suspected she was under the influence of drugs but Anderson refused to undergo an impairment test, remaining "abusive and unco-operative".
Counsel Rhona Daysh had a different way of describing her client — "rather rambunctious and enthusiastic".
Anderson had substance-abuse issues and a background of trauma, she said.
"She’s annoyed and embarrassed and remorseful she caused a lot of grief to the officers who were trying to apprehend her for her own safety," Ms Daysh said.
Anderson was convicted of refusing an impairment test, dangerous driving and aggravated failing to stop.
Judge Maze disqualified her from driving for 18 months and one day.
She refused an Otago Daily Times application to photograph the defendant, citing her mental health issues and a lack of public interest.
