Hit-run accused Brian William Ross diagnosed with dementia

An alleged hit-run driver who is also accused of ignoring orders banning him from the roads has been diagnosed with early dementia, a court has heard.

• Hit-run accused ‘may not be fit to face charges’
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An alleged hit-run driver who is also accused of ignoring orders banning him from the roads has been diagnosed with early dementia, a court has heard.

On Tuesday, counsel for Brian William Ross asked the Adelaide Magistrates Court to delay his case and relax his strict bail conditions.

They asked Ross be spared further electronic monitoring of his movements and no longer be subject to home detention.

Ross, 72, of Unley, is charged with offences including aggravated driving without due care, failing to stop, driving disqualified, impeding an investigation and breaching bail.

It is alleged that, on July 18, he struck motorcyclist David Baker with his car, at the intersection of Hutt St and South Tce, and drove away.

On his arrest, the court heard he had not held a licence since 1987. He was granted bail, only to be allegedly caught driving again nine days later.

Brian William Ross pictured outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court in September. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

It is further alleged that his dog attacked a police officer on that occasion.

After that alleged incident, Ross was released on electronically-monitored home detention bail and banned from even sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle.

At the time, the court was persuaded to release him due to his numerous ailments and illnesses, and the fact his adult children had taken Power of Attorney over him.

On Thursday, counsel for Ross asked for further time to explore a potential defence to the charges.

They also asked his bail conditions be relaxed, given his ongoing compliance.

“We’ve been waiting on some medical material before advancing the matter,” counsel said.

“Ross has been diagnosed with early dementia... we want to perform further cognitive testing and complete a report about that matter.”

SA Police did not oppose Ross’ requests.

Magistrate Simon Smart cancelled Ross’ home detention, but continued all of his other bail conditions, and ordered he face court again in April.