Police feared high-speed drivers armed, court told

Two highway patrol officers thought they were about to be confronted by an armed man when they ended a chase which hit speeds of 170km/h, a jury was told in the High Court in Napier yesterday.

During the chase in May last year, 34-year-old John Wharemako Gillies was seen stretching across the front seat of his car and putting a balaclava over his head while driving, the officers said.

The 13km chase on State Highway 2 from Pukehou to Waipawa, Hawke's Bay, ended when two tyres on the Nissan Skyline blew out after the vehicle hit a kerb.
The officers leaped out of their patrol vehicle and one smashed two windows of the car as they tried to get Gillies out in a violent struggle, which continued after the man was tackled down a bank and handcuffed, the court heard.

No weapon was found but the jury was told officers discovered 10.5g of cocaine, 1.5g of crystal methamphetamine and $21,040 cash in the car.

When the trial started yesterday, Gillies pleaded not guilty to two charges of possessing Class A drugs for the purpose of supply and one charge of aggravated assault on one of the officers, who he is accused of grabbing by the testicles.

He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of assault on the second officer.

As the two officers tried to subdue Gillies, he challenged them to a fight and tried to run away, despite being pepper-sprayed, the court was told.

"I was scared," said Senior Constable David Garnett. "I believed I was going to be confronted by a person with some sort of firearm or weapon."

A search of the car later revealed, in addition to the drugs and cash, other evidence police allege was used in the drug trade, including three electronic weigh scales, hundreds of plastic bags, a glass pipe and a straw.

The second officer, Constable Gary Anderson, said the chase started after a car was clocked at 145km/h and the driver ignored signals to stop.

The car overtook other vehicles in no-passing zones and forced oncoming vehicles to the side of the road to avoid collisions, the officers said.

In Waipawa the chase continued at high speed, one tyre blew out when the car hit a kerb, and moments later it was brought to a stop as the second blew out as the car tried to leave town.

Questioned by Crown prosecutor Russell Collins and the defendant's counsel, Chris Tennet, Mr Garnett said at one stage he had put a boot on Gillies' head as the officers tried to subdue him and the struggling man was also punched.

At least twice Gillies had spat at the officers, said Mr Garnett, adding he had had to wipe blood and spittle off his colleague's face.

The case was continuing today.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY