A Northland judge has described a methamphetamine user who picked up a German hitchhiker while leading police on a high-speed chase, as an "absolute menace" to society before sending the man to jail.
Les Ross Martin, 26, appeared for sentencing in the Whangarei District Court on Friday after earlier pleading guilty to a raft of charges.
They included possessing methamphetamine, possession of utensils for the manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis seed, reckless driving, failing to stop, male assaults female, breach of bail, and two breach of release conditions.
Judge Greg Davis said Martin drove at speeds of 200km/h in a residential area at one point during the police chase on October 25.
"You are a menace to our society and a lengthy sentence will be imposed because a clear message has to be sent out to the public that those who choose to drive at speeds you did and choose to avoid police will go to jail," the judge said.