Sean William Nicholas Jaimes Corbett: Accused man abandons vehicle near sand dunes following high speed chase

A man has been released on bail after he allegedly attempted to escape from police in a high-speed pursuit on Sunday — reaching up to 180km/h before abandoning the vehicle and running towards sand dunes near Greenough. Sean William Nicholas Jaimes Corbett, 33, appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Monday from custody after police arrested him following a police pursuit on Sunday afternoon. He is yet to enter pleas for driver of a vehicle failed to comply with a direction to stop in circumstances of aggravation and reckless driving to escape pursuit. Prosecuting Sgt Carey Owen told the court that at 6am on Sunday, police flagged down a Toyota Kluger travelling along Abraham Street, but the driver failed to stop. After police activated emergency lights, the court was told the driver accelerated to get away, travelling at more than 120km/h in a 60km/h zone. It’s alleged the driver sped up to 180km/h on Horwood Road, overtaking multiple vehicles, including a heavy haulage truck, with the pursuit lasting nine minutes. Sgt Owen said the vehicle was abandoned near sand dunes and alleged Mr Corbett fled on foot. The court was told Mr Corbett was sighted by a pilot aircraft in the area close to where the vehicle was abandoned. He was arrested by police and taken back to Geraldton police station where he declined to participate in an interview. Seeking bail, defence lawyer Simon Da Silva said Mr Corbett understood the seriousness of the charges but there was nothing similar on his record. Sgt Owen did not oppose bail, agreeing that his record was clean of any similar charges. Magistrate Kelly Thompson granted bail on the basis Mr Corbett did not have a significant criminal history, noting it was a “very liable decision” because the allegations were “very serious”. Mr Corbett must report to the Geraldton police station three days a week and hand over a $1000 personal undertaking. The matter was adjourned to February 15 for legal advice.