Driver charged after covering 40km in 16 minutes

Jeremy Russell Lemin has been convicted on a charge of dangerous driving. Photo / Facebook

A Queenstown shearer has been convicted on a charge of dangerous driving after travelling from Arrowtown to Cromwell at an average speed of 149km/h.

Jeremy Russell Lemin, 30, was also convicted of failing to stop for police when he appeared before Judge Christina Cook in the Queenstown District Court yesterday.

Prosecuting Sergeant Chris Stringer said a patrol car attempted to stop Lemin after seeing him overtake another vehicle near the brow of a hill near Arrowtown on July 30.

Lemin ignored the patrol car's flashing lights and accelerated away, but was seen a short time later on McDonnell Rd just south of Arrowtown.

Police abandoned the pursuit because of the danger to pedestrians.

Lemin was finally stopped near the Highlands Motorsport Park near Cromwell after travelling the 40km distance in 16 minutes.

The route taken by Lemin included the Kawarau Gorge, which had several bends with 45km/h speed advisory signs, so his speed would have greatly exceeded 149km/h at times, Sgt Stringer said.

Lemin's counsel, Joseph Mooney, said his client "freaked out" when he saw the patrol car, but could not otherwise explain his actions.

Judge Cook remanded Lemin on bail to August 20 for sentencing.