Wanted driver admits charges

A Perth man who crashed a stolen car in Mt Barker while he was wanted by police has pleaded guilty to a string of criminal charges in Albany. In the Albany Magistrate’s Court last Thursday, it was revealed Brayden Wade Bolton, 23, caused more than $10,000 in damage to the Plantagenet Medical Centre after crashing a stolen Subaru Outback on Albany Highway. Acting officer-in-charge of Cranbrook police, Sen-Const. Jeff Osbourne said a concerned member of the public took the car’s occupants to the Plantagenet Medical Centre before police arrived. A witness said the Outback was travelling south on the highway, about 2km north of Mt Barker, when it started swerving as a truck approached from the opposite direction about 4pm on January 12, clipping the truck and losing its front wheel, crossing the carriageway, hitting a tree and bursting into flames. At the time, Bolton, pictured, had an outstanding arrest warrant in relation to an aggravated common assault on his partner of seven months. Police prosecutors said Bolton “push-kicked” his partner in the rib cage while being dragged out of a room by police officers in Perth on October 17. Appearing via video link, Bolton, pleaded guilty to two counts of stealing a motor vehicle, aggravated common assault, damaging property, stealing, and breaching bail. He is due to reappear in court on Friday for sentencing.