Toddler left as man flees after attempted drug sale in Northland

The offender reportedly offeried cannabis to tourists on Paihia's backpacker strip while pushing a pram with a young child in it. Photo / Thinkstock

A man allegedly trying to sell drugs to tourists abandoned his 11-month-old toddler in a pram on a Northland street when he fled from police.

Members of the public called police just before 7pm on Saturday to report a man offering cannabis to tourists on Paihia's backpacker strip while pushing a pram with a young child in it.

Sergeant Peter Masters of Kerikeri said a constable located the man on Kings Rd.

"But when he went to speak to him, the male ran off and jumped over a fence, leaving his 11-month-old child in the pram," Mr Masters said.

The constable, Guy Bradley, chased the man about 200m through properties before catching and arresting him.

He was charged with possession of cannabis, offering to supply cannabis, obstruction of a police officer, and leaving a child under 14 without reasonable supervision.

The 27-year-old, who lives in Paihia, is due to appear in the Kaikohe District Court on February 13.

Meanwhile, another Northland father gained police and CYF attention over the weekend after allegedly crashing his car while almost four times over the legal limit with his 3-year-old son in the back seat.

According to police the 30-year-old lost control of his car at Pukenui, about 50km north of Kaitaia, on Saturday evening.

The car left the road, crashed and burst into flames.

Both driver and son were able to get out before the car was engulfed. They were uninjured.

The Kaitaia man recorded a breath-alcohol level of 962 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath - almost four times the legal limit of 250mcg.

He was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol and careless use of a motor vehicle.