Police claim, however, that Anacleto Figueira’s bad behaviour didn’t stop there, as he weighed up whether to “fight” the officers who subsequently tried to arrest him.

Police documents tendered to Wollongong Local Court on Friday said police were travelling southbound in an unmarked car on the M1 near Dapto when they were overtaken by a silver Mini Cooper travelling at speed.

The officers accelerated up to 160km/hr in an attempt to catch up to the vehicle, however claim they failed to close the gap between them and the Mini.

Court documents said Mini was seen to change lanes erratically and without indicating. When it became stuck behind two vehicles, the car allegedly pulled onto the wrong side of the road, causing an oncoming truck to brake heavily to avoid colliding with the Mini.

Police pulled the car over to discover Figueira, 44, behind the wheel without a valid driver’s licence.

Police checks revealed Figueira was wanted on an outstanding warrant after failing to front court on Monday.

When told he was under arrest, Figueira allegedly became hostile towards police.

He eventually got out of the vehicle but refused to empty his pockets or get into the back of the police paddy wagon quietly.

It is alleged he punched one of the officers in the head before he was contained inside the police vehicle.

A further inspection of the Mini found one of its tyres was bald.

Figueira was charged with driving and assault offences and remanded in custody for a court bail hearing on Friday.

Police opposed his release application, noting Figueira’s actions had put the safety of himself, police and other road users at risk.

Defence lawyer Tyrone Phillips said Figueira was the sole income earner in his family and need his liberty to keep providing for his family. He said Figueira would abide by a curfew and report to police daily in released.

However, Magistrate Michael Stoddart refused bail, labeling Figueira “a nuisance” to the public.

“The community needs to be protected,” he said.