A fleeing driver who reached speeds of 150km/h and drove on punctured tyres for the last 10km of the police chase south of Whangarei has been jailed.
Ted Katane Kemp, 19, earlier pleaded guilty in Whangarei District Court to driving dangerously, driving while disqualified, failing to stop, refusing blood, burglary, using a document for pecuniary advantage, and receiving.
Judge Murray Hunt said if Kemp was allowed to drive, it was only a matter of time before he seriously hurt an innocent road user.
On two occasions, he said Kemp fled from police at high speed and only stopped after running over road spikes. Judge Hunt described Kemp as a "habitual burglar" who was at a high risk of reoffending.
Kemp was spotted by officers in a patrol car on Otaika Rd about 1.15am on March 17 heading south in a stolen vehicle. He sped off and was pursued for nearly 56km before he came to a stop on Western Hills Drive.