A man driving a stolen ute allegedly rammed a police car and attempted to push it off the edge of a hill during an early morning rampage in northern Tasmania, a court has heard.
Phillip James Standage of Waverley, Launcestion, has been charged with assaulting police, evading police (aggravated circumstances), dangerous driving, motor vehicle stealing, possessing a controlled drug, resisting police, trespass, and being found prepared for the commission of a crime.
Police will allege the 30-year-old sped away in a Toyota Hilux when they tried to pull him over in Pomona Road, Riverside, just after midnight.
They said officers found the ute in West Launceston and deployed road spikes, but the driver allegedly rammed a police car, forcing the officers inside to jump out to avoid injury.
Police allege officers in a second police car also had to flee when the ute driver rammed their car and attempted to force it off the edge of a hill.
Court documents allege Mr Standage drove on footpaths and on the wrong side of the road while evading police.
Mr Standage did not enter a plea in the Magistrates Court in Launceston and was remanded in custody until later in January.
Northern Police Commander Brett Smith said incidents such as these raised concerns for the safety of the public and police officers.
"The behaviour is just disgraceful, frankly. No member of our organisation should come to work and have to be subject to this," he said.
"Think about the danger that this causes to the community, with people that exhibit this particular type of behaviour, and we won't tolerate it at all."
