Kevin Phineasa applies for bail after alleged attempted carjacking of Deliveroo driver

A man who allegedly punched a Deliveroo driver and attempted to steal his car as he dropped off pizza has applied for bail after being arrested following the shock carjacking attempt.

A motorist's damaged car after it was driven into a pole while a man was allegedly attempting to carjack him in West End. Picture: Facebook

A man got into a delivery car while the driver was dropping off pizza, then grabbed the driver’s throat and punched his face when the worker attempted to stop the attempted carjacker, police alleged.

Kevin Phineasa is alleged, about 2.30pm on Friday, to have entered a Deliveroo car as the worker had left the keys in the ignition as he delivered Domino’s in West End.

In Townsville Magistrates Court on Monday morning police prosecutor Danny Burke objected to the bail application as Mr Phineasa appeared via video link from the watch house.

“(The victim) looks over and sees the defendant enter the vehicle,” Mr Burke said.

“He tries to stop him and it’s then exacerbated by the fact he grabs him by the throat, punches him in the face, and starts driving off.”

The court was told Mr Phineasa crashed the car into a road sign pulling it out of the ground and caused significant damage to the car.

“It’s not until a witness hears the screech of the tyres, he attends and as a good Samaritan stops the defendant from further assaulting the victim,” Mr Burke said.

“He gets to the vehicle and he sees the defendant assaulting him and then at that point the defendant gets into another vehicle and flees the scene.”

The court was told Mr Phineasa was sentenced to 18 months jail in 2023 for unlawful use of a vehicle.

“It’s brazen, it’s very concerning and that actual use of violence in the circumstances coupled with that significant history,” Mr Burke said.

“He’s an unacceptable risk of committing further offences particularly of a violent nature.”

Mr Phineasa’s defence lawyer said if granted bail the magistrate could impose conditions that would restrict him from coming to Townsville, and stay in Yeppoon with his two young children.

It was said the alleged offender also has another child on the way.

Magistrate Kerri Fredericks ultimately rejected the bail application as she said no conditions imposed could reduce Mr Phineasa’s chances of reoffending to a satisfactory level.

Mr Phineasa has been charged with unlawful entry of a vehicle for committing indictable use with threatened violence, unlawful use of a motor vehicle threatening violence, driving unlicensed, possessing drugs, possessing property suspected of being used in connection with a drug offence and failing to properly dispose of a syringe.

He has not entered any pleas.

Magistrate Fredericks adjourned the charges to March 27.

Originally published as Kevin Phineasa applies for bail after alleged attempted carjacking of Deliveroo driver