Alleged killer driver Bhupinder Singh not speaking to lawyers ahead of trial, judge says to ‘get your head out of the sand’

This muscle car driver is facing trial but isn’t speaking to his lawyers – and a judge has told him to “face up” to his case.

An alleged killer muscle car driver has been told, by a judge, to stop “putting your head in the sand”, speak to his lawyers and decide the fate of his case.

Bhupinder Singh is due to stand trial in the District Court in September, having pleaded not guilty to one aggravated count of causing death by dangerous driving.

On Friday, however, Mr Singh’s longtime lawyers asked for permission to withdraw from the case, saying he had ceased attending appointments with them.

Judge Paul Muscat told Singh – who stood in the dock with his head bowed, looking at the floor – the situation was unacceptable, given the imminent trial.

“It seems to me that what you are doing is putting your head in the sand,” he said.

“You can’t keep doing that, you have to face up to the case against you, there’s a trial listed for September.

“This matter has to be determined.”

Bhupinder Singh outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court. Picture: Sean Fewster

Christine Sandford, 40, died after her car was T-boned just minutes from her Windsor Gardens on March 18, 2023.

She was recorded on CCTV, immediately prior to her death, saying she was “just going to the servo to get some oil because I need it for food”.

Singh, 23, of Ottoway, was charged with both causing Ms Sandford’s death by dangerous driving and with an aggravated count of driving at extreme speed.

At the time, prosecutors alleged Ms Sandford’s car was struck by a Ford Mustang, driven by Singh, as she left a petrol station.

They further alleged the high-powered muscle car had been seen weaving in and out of traffic prior to the fatal collision.

However, prosecutors subsequently withdrew the speeding charge and proceeded only on causing death by dangerous driving, to which Singh pleaded not guilty.

Christine Sandford, 40, was killed leaving a service station on North East Rd. Picture: Facebook

On Friday, Mr Singh’s counsel said his client had “not provided any instructions since the last court date”, and had missed scheduled appointments.

“His parents were due to travel here from overseas, unfortunately that hasn’t happened (due to) issues with visas,” he said.

“That has caused part of the issues in providing instructions.”

He said his firm was prepared to have one more meeting with Mr Singh, but preferred to immediately withdraw from the case.

Judge Muscat declined to grant permission to withdraw, but said he would do so if Mr Singh failed to attend that last appointment with counsel.

“You need to attend this appointment, you can’t just put your head in the sand – do I make myself clear?” he asked Mr Singh, who nodded.

He remanded him on continuing bail to face court again next month.