Bali nine drug smuggler Renae Lawrence has pleaded guilty to a high-speed police chase from more than a decade ago.

Lawrence returned home to Australia in November after serving 13 years’ jail in Indonesia for trying to smuggle heroin out of Bali.

In 2005, several months before leaving for Bali, Lawrence was arrested for stealing a car in the Sydney suburb of Enfield and a high-speed police chase.

She was charged with five offences, including stealing a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving, exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 kilometres an hour, and failing to comply with police direction.

When the 41-year-old returned to Australia last year NSW Police issued her with outstanding warrants for the charges.

Lawrence was excused from attending Newcastle Local Court on Thursday and her lawyer Drew Hamilton entered pleas of guilty on her behalf.

When seeking a hearing date he said sentencing “would not be simple” and was “made more complex by the time Ms Lawrence has spent in custody overseas”.

Mr Hamilton said his client “is most anxious to have it resolved”.

A sentencing hearing has been set down for February 1.

–ABC