Handcuffed man takes off in police car

A 32-year-old NSW man is facing a raft of charges after allegedly driving off in a police car while handcuffed and crashing into two other vehicles.

Police said the man was arrested in Maitland, Lower Hunter Valley, about 10.30am on Sunday after an off-duty officer witnessed a domestic incident in which a woman's hand was cut.

The man was handcuffed and placed in the back of a police car, but managed to get into the driver's seat and take off while officers were speaking to the woman.

He crashed a short time later, badly damaging the vehicle and two parked cars.

He has been charged with nine offences and was refused bail to appear before Maitland Local Court on Monday.