Broome man sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for targetting police in high-speed pursuit

A 20-year-old man who led police on a high-speed pursuit through Broome and accelerated towards a police car travelling the opposite direction has been sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Jahandi Jubalowe James pleaded guilty to seven charges including reckless driving to escape pursuit by police, driving under the influence, failing to comply with a direction to stop and endagering the life, health or safety of a person.

The court heard that on February 21 at around 9:40pm, James failed to stop, leading police on a pursuit and reaching speeds of up to 100km/h in residential areas.

It is alleged he veered onto the wrong side of the road, accelerating towards two junior police officers driving in the opposite lane.

The officers had to take “evasive measures” to avoid impact before the teen mounted a curb, drove through bushland and industrial areas in an attempt to lose police sight.

James was later arrested and charged after driving over a tire deflation device.

The first-time offender tested positive for methamphetamine, cannabis and blew a blood alcohol reading of 0.104.

Magistrate Dean Potter said if James had simply pulled over for police initially, he would have only received a string of fines.

Driving offences towards police officers have significantly increased in the last 18 months, including a record number of assaults against officers in the Kimberley.