Cops fume as ‘suicide risk’ bailed

A MAN has overdosed after being freed on bail by “soft-touch” magistrate Joan White, in the face of serious concerns among police that he was a suicide risk.

Chasing magistrate Joan White who is presiding over hoon driver Zayne Dalton case at Beenleigh Courts. Pic Annette Dew

A MAN has overdosed after being freed on bail by “soft-touch” magistrate Joan White, in the face of serious concerns among police that he was a suicide risk.

Ms White, criticised for giving lenient sentences and bail decisions, granted bail to alleged armed robber Jonathan Crabtree last week despite police objections.

Police are fuming, saying he later overdosed and could have died. They say Ms White ignored their concerns about Crabtree’s suicidal tendencies and his need to be kept in custody for his own and the community’s protection.

Crabtree, 24, was charged over the knifepoint robbery of a pharmacy last month.

Southport Magistrates Court heard he walked into the Southport Chempro Chemist armed with a 30cm kitchen knife and wearing a bandanna.

Crabtree allegedly told staff “give me all your Tramadol” (a prescription painkiller) and handed over a plastic bag.

The court was told two employees working at the pharmacy had since quit.

Defence lawyer Mollie Roper told the court her client became addicted to Tramadol after a serious car accident in 2009.

Ms Roper asked that Crabtree be released on bail so he could address his drug issues and be assessed.

Police opposed bail on grounds including that he would commit more offences and fail to reappear in court and argued he should be kept in custody for his own protection.

A police objection to bail affidavit noted he had attempted suicide “on a number of occasions” and his mother had advised that he had been brought back to life more than once.

After initially being detained in custody on April 8, he was bailed by Ms White the following day and was due to reappear on April 10.

However, he overdosed and was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital. Police say he left a suicide note.

A mental health assessment ordered by Ms White before she released Crabtree said he did not display any significant symptoms which required immediate intervention.

However, police believe he should have been kept behind bars.

Last month The Courier-Mail revealed in two years Ms White had faced the most police appeals of any state magistrate.

On Tuesday, she released on bail notorious serial hoon Zayne Dalton after a 200km/h police chase in which one of his passengers suffered a broken neck and brain injuries.

Crabtree is understood to have been released from hospital last weekend and is due in court on May 1.

Chief Magistrate Ray Rinaudo said in a written statement: “The Chief Magistrate has complete confidence in Magistrate White as he does in all Queensland Magistrates.”

For help with emotional difficulties, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au

For help with depression, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 or at www.beyondblue.org.au