A MAN who was involved in a police pursuit along Swan Hill’s main street after being shot in the leg in March was “really high on amphetamines” at the time, a court has heard.
Paul Selwyn Sweeney faced Swan Hill Magistrates’ Court this week on 34 charges relating to multiple offences.
In the lead up to the police pursuit, the court heard Sweeney had been at the Wamba Wamba community in New South Wales where he was allegedly shot in the leg by his brother.
Police prosecutor Dave Hogan said Sweeney attended the emergency department of Swan Hill District Health about 6.30pm on March 7 but would not cooperate with police.
After an initial diagnosis, the 38-year-old refused further treatment and attempted to leave the hospital, but returned when he was informed by police he would be arrested on outstanding warrants.
But he later made a break for it anyway, driving out of the Splatt Street carpark at a “fast rate of speed”.
He was pursued by an unmarked police car to the Swan Hill-Murray Downs bridge.
During the pursuit, Sweeney’s vehicle sped through the intersection of Splatt Street and McCallum Street, nearly colliding with another vehicle, and bypassed a police roadblock that had been established at the bridge.
Defence lawyer Shane Kennedy said Sweeney was affected by crystal methamphetamine, otherwise known as ice, at the time of the police pursuit.
“He says in relation to the driving incident he was really high on amphetamines and he had just been shot, so he was in a state of shock and under the influence of amphetamines,” Mr Kennedy said.
He added Sweeney’s difficult childhood had led to serious personal problems.
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