A man who stole two cars while leading police on a high-speed chase between Paihia and Whangarei thought he was playing a video game, a judge said.
William Puna, 28, was this week sent to jail by the Whangarei District Court having pleaded guilty to three charges of unlawfully taking motor vehicles, and single charges of failing to stop, driving while disqualified, careless driving and aggravated assault.
His actions on February 18 lasted more than two hours and involved three stolen vehicles, police dogs, a rammed police car and a plane.
The police summary said Puna broke into a Mazda Familia in Auckland on February 17, smashing the ignition assembly to start it. He drove to Paihia the next day where police tried to stop him but gave up because of his speed.
Puna dumped the car, got into an Isuzu Bighorn and drove towards Whangarei.