A MAN who fled the scene of a crash at Mayfield - leaving behind a replica pistol, several knives and stolen credit cards - now has a warrant out for his arrest after he was a no-show in court last week.
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Joshua James Bridge, 31, was granted conditional bail last month and was due to appear in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday on five charges including driving a stolen car and possession of an unauthorised pistol.
But when he failed to appear, Magistrate Ian Cheetham convicted Bridge in his absence and issued a warrant for his arrest.
Bridge was arrested after fleeing the scene of a two-car crash at Mayfield on April 20.
Police say he was driving a sedan that collided with an SUV in Wye Street before Bridge and a female passenger got out of the sedan and fled on foot.
The driver of the SUV, a 54-year-old woman, was able to free herself from the vehicle with minor injuries. She was taken to John Hunter Hospital as a precaution.
During a search of the sedan, police found a replica firearm, several knives, number plates and stolen credit cards.
Later on the day of the crash, police arrested an 18-year-old woman at a house in Hanbury Street, Mayfield. She was charged with possession of a prohibited drug and released on bail.
Police caught up with Bridge a few days later and he was charged and later refused bail in Newcastle Local Court.
He re-appeared in court on June 8, where he was granted conditional bail and his matter was adjourned until Thursday when he failed to appear and the warrants were issued.
