A Queensland man who police allege has never held a driver’s licence in any Australian state or territory has been charged following a high-speed pursuit near Kempsey.
About 12.40pm on Monday 23 March 2026, officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command attempted to stop a Holden hatchback travelling on the Pacific Highway at Clybucca, about 20km northeast of Kempsey.
When the driver allegedly failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated.
Police will allege the vehicle reached speeds of up to 180km/h in a 110km/h zone before road spikes were successfully deployed.
A short time later, the pursuit was terminated due to safety concerns.
About 12.40pm, the hatchback came to a stop on the Pacific Highway at South Kempsey, where the driver allegedly fled into nearby bushland.
Following a foot pursuit, the 31-year-old man was arrested and taken to Kempsey Police Station.
During a search of the vehicle, police allegedly located and seized several small bags of methylamphetamine and cannabis, which will undergo forensic examination.
The man was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, never licensed person drive vehicle on a road, and two counts of possess prohibited drug.
He was also charged on four outstanding warrants relating to driving, traffic and domestic violence offences.
Police will allege in court the man has never held a driver’s licence.
He was refused bail and appeared before Bail Division Local Court 1 on Tuesday 24 March 2026.
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