A repeat traffic offender who police consider presents a “significant risk” to public safety has been refused court bail after being charged with her second police pursuit and fourth drive while disqualified offence.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Tiffiny Talbot-MacDonald was unable to contain her emotions and burst into tears when told she would be refused bail in Wollongong Local Court on Monday.
The 18-year-old is accused of leading police on a dangerous pursuit along Northcliffe Drive at Warrawong on Saturday afternoon, while allegedly attempting to switch seats with a passenger mid-drive.
Police documents tendered to the court during Talbot-MacDonald’s bail application said officers attached to the Lake Illawarra target action group were conducting proactive patrols on Kully Way when they noticed a silver Subaru Liberty travelling ahead of them at speed.
They attempted to pull the vehicle over for a roadside breath test however the vehicle allegedly sped off, prompting officer to give chase.
They pursued the vehicle through a posted ‘stop sign’ onto Northcliffe Drive.
“Whilst travelling behind the vehicle, police observed the rear passenger attempting to enter the front driver’s seat,” officers wrote in their court statement.
“During this time, the vehicle was swerving inside the lane in a reckless manner.”
Police ran to the car when it stopped about 650 metres down the road, where they discovered the passenger trying to move seats was a convicted criminal wanted on six outstanding warrants.
The man was removed from the vehicle and physically restrained by the side of the road before being arrested and handcuffed.
Meantime, police also apprehended Talbot-MacDonald. who they suspected was the person driving during the pursuit.
Another passenger confirmed to police that Talbot-MacDonald had been behind the wheel.
A check of the police computer system revealed Talbot-MacDonald’s licence was disqualified from February 2017 to February 2020.
Arresting officers described MacDonald’s traffic record as “appalling”, saying she has been charged 11 times for driving without a valid licence.
“The accused has shown she is a recidvist traffic offender and will continue to drive regardless of the conditions set on her by the court of police,” the police fact sheet read.
“There is a significant risk to the community and greater public if the accused is granted bail as she will continue to drive on NSW roads.”
Magistrate Imad Abdul-Karim remanded Talbot-MacDonald in custody and adjourned her case October for further mention.
