Darren Lee Letts: Ipswich dad accused of ‘running down’ wife while drunk

An Ipswich dad who allegedly ran down his wife while drink-driving has had requested a court loosen his bail conditions.

Darren Lee Letts, 56. Picture: Facebook.

An Ipswich man accused of “deliberately” running down his wife four months ago has had his application to loosen bail conditions denied.

Darren Lee Letts, 57, faced the Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on Monday asking for the strict conditions of his bail to be eased to allow further contact with his wife.

In an affidavit supplied to the court, the woman said she was supportive of the changes and “her heart knows her husband didn’t (allegedly) intentionally run her down”.

Mr Letts was arrested and charged with committing acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning bodily harm, and dangerous driving while intoxicated after an alleged incident at a Redbank Plains home on July 3.

Prosecutors allege he was “grossly intoxicated” at the home when he was asked to leave by a man and “thrown” out of the house.

In front of a number of witnesses, Mr Letts allegedly got into a car and reversed it into a gate before revving the engine and driving towards a group that had gathered outside.

The court heard those present were allegedly able to jump out of the path of the oncoming vehicle, but Mr Letts stopped at the end of the driveway and quickly reversed backwards.

Most were allegedly able to avoid being hit, but Mr Lett’s wife was allegedly struck and “launched” four to five metres backwards before hitting the ground.

It’s alleged Mr Lett’s drove off but was arrested later the same night.

The court has previously heard Mr Letts had been employed as a machine operator in Browns Plains for the past five years and suffered some acute mental health issues.

Supporting the bail variation application, a letter from a psychologist said he had “engaged appropriately” and they were discussing treatment options.

But Magistrate Dennis Kinsella said not enough evidence had been provided to indicate to him that any risk of offending had been reduced.

“For me there is still a risk the defendant may endanger the safety and welfare of the aggrieved and the wider community,” he said.

“I’m not satisfied the risk could be mitigated.”

Mr Letts will return to court on February 15.