Peter James Downes, 58, from Kinchella, but who also resides at Sanctuary Point, pleaded guilty to high range drink driving in Nowra Local Court on Monday, February 11 before registrar Craig Cockburn.

Court papers said police responded to calls for assistance from the NSW Ambulance Service in dealing with an abusive, aggressive intoxicated male in Kinghorne Street, Nowra around 9.35pm on December 23 last year.

Before police could arrive it is alleged Downes left the scene in a Toyota van, travelling in a southerly direction.

Police said as they turned into Kinghorne Street at the Albatross Road roundabout they saw his van travelling slowly before turning into Albert Street.

Officers activated lights and sirens, with Downes allegedly pulling up a further 100 metres down the street.

Court papers said Downes became aggressive and abusive towards police, with officers noticing he was severely intoxicated, was slurring his words, was unsteady on his feet and smelt strongly of alcohol.

He initially failed to produced a breath test and was arrested and taken to Nowra Police Station where he returned a breath reading of 0.178.

Downes will reappear in court on March 11.

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