AN Australind man accused of crashing a stolen car into a police vehicle after a half an hour pursuit in November 2014 has entered his pleas.
Appearing in the Bunbury Magistrates Court on Thursday, Jade Richard Barton, 22, pleaded guilty to five charges including stealing a motor vehicle and driving reckless, possession of a weapon, no authority to drive and minor drug offences.
But he intends to contest the charge of crashing into a police traffic car.
It is alleged that on November 18, Mr Barton crashed a stolen vehicle into another car near Bunbury Forum Shopping Centre and failed to stop, engaging police in a half hour chase.
Traffic officers deployed a stinger in an attempt to stop him and he was eventually apprehended after he make a U-turn near the corner of South West Highway and Willinge Drive and collided with a police traffic vehicle.
The traffic car was written off and valued at $80,000.
On January 9 it was revealed that Mr Barton was recorded making threats against a police officer in a telephone call from Bunbury Regional Prison.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Karl Rep showed Magistrate Kelvin Fisher a transcript of the call Mr Barton made to his mother from the prison in which he said he knew the police officer that arrested him.
Magistrate Fisher said Mr Barton’s actions clearly constituted a threat to a police officer and he could not comprehend the absolute stupidity of prisoners who make phone calls with threats when they know they are being recorded.
Mr Barton is remanded in custody and will reappear in the Bunbury Magistrates Court on March 26.
