Unlicensed driver who led Northland police on 45-minute chase pleads guilty

The stolen Nissan Terrano in which Matthew Cook led police on a 45-minute chase from Riverside Dr to Pataua South and back. Photo / John Stone

An Auckland man who led Whangarei police on a 45-minute chase, which included driving on a wheel rim after a tyre was spiked, has never held a driver licence.

Matthew Cook, 21, pleaded guilty in the Whangarei District Court this week to charges of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, failing to stop and driving without a licence.

The police chase began with the theft of a 4x4 Nissan Terrano parked near Countdown supermarket at the Okara shopping centre. An officer spotted the vehicle near BP on Riverside Drive when Cook was trying to fill up on March 6.

Cook failed to stop when signalled to pull over just after 11.30am and headed towards Pataua South. He repeatedly exceeded speed limits with police vehicles in pursuit. He did a U-turn after reaching Pataua South and headed back towards Whangarei.

The vehicle tyres were spiked near Waikaraka but he continued to drive, finally stopping near Awaroa Rd about 12.15pm.

Cook was remanded in custody to re-appear for sentencing on May 15.

Pataua South resident Kelvin Lane said he witnessed the police chase from atop a ridge where he lived.

He said seven police vehicles chased Cook down the no-exit rural sealed road to the beach.

"With all these vehicles in pursuit, at roads end, turned his vehicle around and drove back out the way he came in, passing all the police vehicles on his way out, followed by the police in full chase mode."

A motorist heading towards Parua Bay said she saw the four-wheel-drive come up over the hill near Solomons Point.

"The front tyre was flapping all over the place and it stunk of rubber. There were about seven police cars following right behind."