Man Charged After Baby Found Unrestrained in Front Seat During 168km/h high-speed police pursuits from Campbelltown to Goulburn

In a dangerous high-speed chase from Campbelltown to Goulburn, police have charged a 35-year-old man after discovering a 7-month-old baby unrestrained in the front seat. The pursuit allegedly reached 168 km/h, and the driver tested positive to methamphetamine. Our Campbelltown Criminal Lawyers outline the serious charges, relevant laws, and potential defences in such cases.

A 35-year-old man is facing a string of serious charges after allegedly leading police on multiple high-speed pursuits through New South Wales with a 7-month-old baby unrestrained in the front passenger seat.

The dangerous series of events began around 9:30pm on Tuesday, 7 August 2025, when officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command clocked a sedan allegedly travelling at 168km/h in a 110km/h zone on the Hume Highway near Blair Athol, Campbelltown.

Police activated their lights and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver allegedly failed to comply. A pursuit was initiated but quickly terminated due to safety concerns.

A short time later, officers located the same vehicle at a service station in Sally’s Corner. Again, the driver allegedly refused to stop, prompting a second pursuit, this time along the Hume Motorway toward Goulburn.

The chase ended when the sedan pulled into a service station on Hume Street, Goulburn, but the situation escalated further when the driver allegedly locked himself inside the vehicle. Officers were forced to smash the driver’s side window to arrest him.

Inside the car, police made a disturbing discovery: a 7-month-old baby, known to the man, was allegedly sitting unrestrained in the front passenger seat, a serious breach of child restraint laws in New South Wales. According to legislation, children under four must be securely restrained in an approved car seat and are prohibited from sitting in the front seat of vehicles with two or more rows.

Baby Assessed, Driver Tests Positive for Meth

NSW Ambulance paramedics assessed the child at the scene. The baby appeared uninjured but was taken to Goulburn Base Hospital for observation and has since been placed into the care of family members.

The driver was subjected to a roadside breath test, which returned a negative result. However, a roadside drug test allegedly came back positive for methylamphetamine. He was taken to Goulburn Police Station, where a secondary oral fluid test was conducted. The man was then transferred to Goulburn Hospital for monitoring, before being returned to police custody.

Multiple Charges Laid

Upon his release from hospital, the man was charged with the following offences:

• Police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously
• Not comply with police direction
• Drive with one passenger seatbelt/restraint not properly fastened
• Exceed speed limit by more than 45km/h
• Drive vehicle with illicit drug present in blood
• Dishonestly obtain property by deception
• Common assault (domestic violence-related)

The assault charge stems from an unrelated domestic incident allegedly occurring earlier that evening. The accused was granted conditional bail and appeared in Goulburn Local Court on Tuesday, 26 August 2025

Legal and Safety Implications

Under NSW law, driving with a child unrestrained or improperly restrained is a serious offence. Penalties can include significant fines, demerit points, and in extreme cases such as this, where a child is exposed to life-threatening risk, criminal charges.

Children under 4 years of age must be restrained in an approved rear- or forward-facing child seat and must not sit in the front seat of a car with two or more rows. Breaching these rules not only endangers lives but constitutes a major offence under NSW road safety legislation.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in keeping roads safe not only for the public, but for the most vulnerable passengers.

Need Legal Assistance? 

If you or someone you know is facing a traffic offence, speak with a Campbelltown Criminal Lawyer