BMW chase claim trial

A South West man alleged to have taken an expensive vehicle without the consent of its owner and evaded police by driving “recklessly” through a residential area has maintained his innocence. Tama Daniels appeared in Bunbury Magistrate’s Court in custody on Monday where he pleaded not guilty to a string of traffic offences, including reckless driving to escape pursuit by police. It was alleged Mr Daniels and an unnamed co-accused had taken a BMW to drive without the consent of its owner from Withers and began driving through the Dalyellup area on May 2. Police say when they tried to signal for Mr Daniels and the co-accused to pull over, Mr Daniels allegedly failed to stop and began driving through the streets of Dalyellup in a reckless manner. It was further alleged Mr Daniels’ licence had been suspended at the time of the alleged offending. Mr Daniels also had a further charge of possessing a controlled weapon read to him, to which he did not enter a plea. As well as his reckless driving charge, Mr Daniels also pleaded not guilty to failing to comply with a direction to stop, no authority to drive due to suspension and stealing a motor vehicle to use without the consent of the owner. Reckless driving to escape police pursuit has a mandatory six-month minimum prison sentence up to five years in WA and also incurs a two-year licence disqualification. Mr Daniels will next front Bunbury Magistrate’s Court for a trial allocation date on June 14. He will appear for the possessed a controlled weapon charge on the same date.