Jail for firing shots during car chase

A man who was "amped up" on P has been sentenced to 6 1/2 years' jail for firing two shots at a policeman during a high-speed car chase.

Sidney Darren Wells, aged 33, of no fixed address, earlier admitted using a firearm against a law enforcement officer and possessing precursor drugs for making methamphetamine.

Passing sentence in the High Court at Auckland yesterday, Justice Rhys Harrison ordered Wells to serve at least half the term.

The court heard that Constable Steven Mangles pursued Wells after seeing him driving erratically in Pakuranga last May.

At one point Wells poked a pistol out of his window and fired twice at the marked police car, but hit the rear door of his own vehicle.

The judge agreed with defence lawyer Shane Tait that it was the behaviour of a man whose brain was "fried" by methamphetamine.

Prosecutor Mike Heron said the incident had a marked effect on the policeman and his wife. He considered leaving the force and had moved from Auckland.

After the chase, police found 24 bottles of Robitussin, a substance used for making methamphetamine.