A 39-year-old, unlicensed driver has been charged with allegedly driving with an unrestrained infant, choking the baby and attempting to flee after his arrest. 

Police pulled over a grey Mercedes sedan on Northbourne Avenue early on Sunday morning with no headlights on and the driver allegedly on his phone.

The driver refused to leave the vehicle, which is when police noticed his female passenger was holding an unrestrained infant on her lap.

Police say the man continued to ignore the officers and attempted to drive forward, allegedly grabbing the baby around the neck after police got into the car.

An ambulance was called to check on the welfare of the child.

The driver and passenger were arrested, but the man attempted to run off.

He was charged with choking, driving while unlicensed, driving with an unrestrained child, possessing a drug of dependence and attempting to escape custody. The woman was charged with hindering police.