Nelson man jailed for 22 months after 30km chase and village rampage

Nicholas Tripp will serve 22 months in prison for a day of chaotic driving that began in Nelson and ended in the small town of Wakefield. Judge Bruce Davidson handed down the sentence on Wednesday in the Nelson District Court, reducing an initial guideline of two and a half years based on the defendant’s early guilty pleas and time already in custody.

The incident occurred on the morning of June 17, 2026. A landscaping worker parked his ute at the entrance to a yard in central Nelson. While the driver stepped out to unlock a gate, Tripp, who was nearby, saw the vehicle running. The 34-year-old man, who was on intensive supervision for previous offenses, entered the cab and drove off. He later admitted to the court that he had impulsively seized the opportunity.

Police tracked the stolen vehicle using a GPS app after the owner called for help. Tripp threw the worker’s cellphone out of the drinks holder while driving south. He passed State Highway 6 near Richmond, narrowly missing a fuel truck while overtaking. He continued into Wakefield, where he undertook other vehicles, forcing three oncoming cars to swerve to avoid a collision.

Tripp stopped at a local dairy and bakery to buy tobacco. He grabbed a lighter from the counter and pulled a staff member by the arm. When he saw a police officer approaching, he fled, discarding the stolen items in a bush and tossing his wallet into a nearby boat. He then ran through the village, banging on car doors and screaming at drivers to get out. In one instance, he pulled the door of a vehicle shut by its driver, yelling, “Help me, help me, the police are gonna get me.”

Tripp attempted to break into another parked car by punching the driver’s window. He then ran into a nearby property, got into a vehicle, and fled on foot before police caught him. He was charged with 11 offenses, including unlawfully taking a vehicle, driving while disqualified, two burglaries, and assaulting a female. Police noted he was under the influence of an undetermined substance at the time.

Defense lawyer Fleur Oback told the court that Tripp was sorry and had admitted his actions early. She argued that background factors warranted credit in sentencing. Tripp told the judge he was stressed and apologized for overtaking a vehicle, calling it “very foolish.” Judge Davidson noted that Tripp had limited insight into the risk he posed to the public. He was also disqualified from driving for a further year.

Tripp is eligible to apply for home detention if he can demonstrate a change in attitude and accepts treatment for substance abuse. He has been in custody since his arrest, which amounted to nine months by the time of sentencing.