A self-proclaimed "jester of genocide" whose alleged police pursuit was foiled only after he crashed into a speed sign has been granted bail.
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Former cashier Christopher Stewart Wallace, 27, fronted the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with drug driving, failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, and not displaying his L plates.
He did not enter pleas to the charges, and the court heard he was on bail for other offences when he allegedly led police on a dangerous pursuit through several lanes of traffic and near pedestrians.
Police documents tendered to the court said Mr Wallace appeared to have blood shot eyes when they sighted him driving on Drakeford Drive in Greenway about 2.40pm on Tuesday.
They activated their lights and sirens and directed Mr Wallace to pull over, but he allegedly "accelerated heavily" - doing more than 100km/h in the 80km/h zone - and swerved in and out of lanes of traffic.
The documents said Mr Wallace drove over guttering and onto a nature strip to overtake a four-wheel drive, causing police to turn off their lights and stop the pursuit for the sake of public safety.
Officers caught up with Mr Wallace after he allegedly turned suddenly onto Mortimer Lewis Drive, mounted the median strip, crashed into a speed sign, parked in a car park, got out of the car, and fled.
Prosecutor Julia Epstein said in court on Wednesday Mr Wallace had four passengers in the car at the time of the incident who also allegedly fled after he parked.
"It's an objectively serious and dangerous course of driving," she said.
"The [speed] sign is completely flattened and there are tyre marks all over the road."
Mr Wallace was arrested and allegedly tested positive for drugs. The documents said he told police he'd taken cannabis.
The court heard Mr Wallace had been diagnosed with bipolar and schizophrenia, and was making efforts to look for work which would be hindered by him being remanded in custody.
Special Magistrate Margaret Hunter granted the 27-year-old bail on grounds that he report to the Canberra city police station twice a week, continue to reside at his Campbell address, not drive or be in the driver's seat of a motor vehicle, and not be in the possession car keys.
Mr Wallace must also pay $500 surety if he breaches the conditions.
Ms Hunter noted that Mr Wallace didn't ordinarily have access to a car, and was borrowing his friend's on the day in question. Mr Wallace calls himself the jester of genocide on Facebook.
He is due to appear in court for the driving offences again on September 24.