Jesse Daniel Nash (41), serving a five-year stint at the Otago Corrections Facility, was assessed by a psychologist to be at a very high risk of reoffending and it was recommended he undertake specialist treatment for violent criminals.
But when the Parole Board saw him last month he expressed a reluctance to do the rehabilitative course.
"He explained to the board that in his view this would result in simply ticking the box and it would also involve him engaging in a programme at which gang members and other negative influences may be present," panel convener Judge Charles Blackie said.
"He therefore appeared generally unmotivated."
Nash was sentenced at the Dunedin District Court in October 2020 on 16 charges, most of which stemmed from a single day when he stole petrol from the Omarama Service Station.
Police tried to pull him over near Tarras but Nash accelerated to 180kmh, continuing on metal rims when his tyres were spiked.
Senior Constable Darren Kidd found the fugitive and his Toyota on a back road at Cromwell Gorge.
When Nash pulled a long-barrelled air rifle from the boot and aimed it at the officer 30m away, he ran for cover.
The defendant dropped the firearm and fled in the police car.
Near Alexandra he activated the vehicle’s flashing lights and pulled over a BMW, donning a police cap and ordering the driver to get out.
Nash made it to Milton in the second stolen vehicle where he was again spiked.
He abandoned the BMW and hid in the township before he was finally arrested the next morning.
"The board remains concerned at the accumulation of violent offending and the escalating of the nature of the degree of violence," Judge Blackie said.
He requested another psychologist’s report to assess Nash’s suitability for further counselling behind bars.
Without it, he said, the prisoner remained "only partially treated" and could not be released.
Nash will see the Parole Board again in May. His sentence expires in December 2024.
