TWO men charged with drink-driving offences in Tamworth on New Year's Day have fronted court for the first time.
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Ethan Loken is charged with mid-range drink-driving; not giving particulars to another driver after a crash; and driving recklessly or in a manner dangerous.
He's accused of driving drunk, crashing into a parked car and a traffic light, and driving on the wrong side of the road.
Police allege Loken, 22, recorded a blood alcohol reading of .143 - almost three times the legal limit - after he was arrested between the bridges on Bridge Street, about 1.30am on January 1.
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Police claim Loken left a licensed hotel off Brisbane Street, drove in a reckless manner from Marius Street, hit a parked car and continued down the incorrect side of Brisbane Street.
Loken is then accused of continuing through the Kable Avenue intersection, allegedly running a red light, before the van broke down over the bridge.
On Monday, Loken did not enter pleas to the charges, but magistrate Julie Soars granted him a six-week adjournment.
He will return to court in March and remains on conditional bail.
Peter Francis Gawthorne is accused of four charges including failing to comply with a request to stop a car; police pursuit; learner not display L-plates; and learner not accompanied.
On Monday, Gawthorne had his case adjourned for a month to complete the traffic offenders program.
Ms Soars will sentence Gawthorne in February, and ordered his bail continue until that date.
Police claim Gawthorne was spotted on New Year's Day, shortly after 2 o'clock, when officers were conducting random breath testing on Bridge Street.
They allege the 24-year-old was behind the wheel of a Nissan Navara ute, which stopped and carried out a u-turn over double white lines.
He's then alleged to have turned onto another street, turned off his headlights and did not stop.
Police started a pursuit, and the driver was stopped in Nemingha a short time later.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
