Erin Maidi Patricia Hay, 36, was before court via audio video link from prison charged with a police pursuit, not having number plates properly attached, and driving in a reckless, furious and dangerous manner.

On May 24, a white Isuzu ute with no number plates was asked to pull over at a random breath testing area on the Sturt Highway near Hay, following reports the vehicle had been seen driving dangerously.

Hay told officers someone had "ripped off" the plates in Adelaide. Noting her extreme nervousness and inability to answer questions police decided to search the ute.

When informed of their intention, Hay took off, initiating what would end up being a 100 kilometre pursuit ending with two sets of tire spikes deployed near Waddi.

During the pursuit, Hay bypassed a road works traffic light on red, and drove straight into the oncoming traffic. And yet police found nothing of interest when searching her ute.

Connor Cregan, her legal representative on Wednesday said this was a "very peculiar case", saying she had led an "impeccable life", spending years in military service.

Prosecutor Jason Dunn agreed, saying it was a "bizarre situation" with her complete lack of criminal history coupled with having nothing to hide in her vehicle which would provide a reason for her avoidance of police.

"Significant trauma" due to an ongoing gender transition was the crux of her physical and mental health issues, Mr Cregan explained.

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She had left Cairns fearing relatives would take her to involuntary treatment for gender dysphoria, and believed the police who pulled her up were going to take her back.

Mr Cregan argued for a Section 32, which gives the court the power to divert a defendant suffering from a mental health condition into the care and treatment of health professionals.

Yet magistrate Joy Boulos declined this, saying she found it difficult to "find a nexus between the behaviour displayed and mental health at this time."

With significant weight placed on three character references and a psychological report, Hay received a 12 month disqualification and an 18 month community corrections order.

A conviction was recorded for driving without number plates, with community corrections order for 18 months for driving dangerously, without conviction.

She was tearfully released after sentencing, with Mr Cregan having to confirm to her she was free to leave.

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