Sam Thomas Mullins, of Newnham, appeared in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Wednesday to face multiple charges including evade police, driving without a licence, stealing, drug possession and computer related fraud.

The court heard the 23-year-old had knowingly evaded police on four separate occasions in April this year. The first offence took place on April 4 at Ravenswood when Mullins accelerated and drove away from police after they turned on their sirens. Later that month, on April 18, Mullins sped away from police at Rocherlea.

The following day, he was stopped at traffic lights in Launceston and police pulled up behind him. Officers got out of their car and approached Mullins, who then locked his doors and wound up the windows. Ignoring police directions, Mullins drove away. Less than a week later, on April 23, Mullins ran through two red lights in Launceston’s CBD to avoid officers.

During police interviews, Mullins said he did not stop because he suffered from anxiety and did not have a licence.

Mullins also faces three counts of stealing, which includes the theft of chocolate from an IGA at Newnham, biscuits from a BP at Newnham and several items from a Kmart store. He also used a stolen bank card to purchase cigarettes. The offences occurred on separate occasions between May 2016 and March this year.

Mullins has already served one month in custody and was remanded to reappear for sentencing on Friday.