Bradley Cutts: No bail for man accused of killing girlfriend in Raceview drink-drive crash

NAMED: The Ipswich man charged with killing his girlfriend in a drink-drive crash has a history of alcoholism and driving dangerously, and is being investigated for domestic violence, a court has heard.

The shocking traffic history of an Ipswich man charged with killing his long-term girlfriend in a traffic crash yesterday has been revealed before a court.

Bradley Phillip Cutts, 45, of Raceview appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court via video-link from custody on Wednesday, September 7 to apply for bail after being charged with one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death while under the influence of liquor or a drug.

It is alleged a blue 2009 Hyundai Getz was travelling west along Cascade St when, about 10.30am on Tuesday, September 6, it diverted off the road and into a power pole before coming to rest in a driveway, flipping in the process.

Cutts was taken to hospital with serious injuries. His partner of six years, a 41-year-old Ipswich mum, sadly died at the scene.

Prosecutor Sergeant Courtney Boss said the man’s application for bail was opposed by police as he had a lengthy and relevant criminal history which involved him causing another person grievous bodily harm in a traffic crash at Red Hill in 2007.

She said Cutts was intoxicated and driving at a high speed when he crossed onto the wrong side of the road and hit another vehicle head-on. He fled the scene before police arrived.

A person in the other vehicle suffered a crushed knee for which they required surgery and ongoing care.

Sgt Boss said the Ipswich man was the driver in another traffic crash in 2012. He again left the scene before police arrived.

The court heard police were made aware in 2017 that Cutts was an alcoholic who drank daily.

“A bottle of vodka was purchased the day before the incident and that … was empty when police conducted a search the following day,” Sgt Boss said.

“The informant said that the defendant drives. He was following the defendant at the time. This was in 2017.

“He identified the driver at the time (and) informed police.”

She said police had been called to Cutts’ address multiple times in the years that followed in relation to alleged domestic violence incidents.

Investigations into such matters are ongoing.

On September 6, it is alleged the Ipswich man drove at speed with “extreme recklessness” through a residential area for at least four blocks, eventually crashing in the quiet cul-de-sac street.

The court heard Cutts divulged some information to the constable who travelled with him to hospital.

“In the ambulance, he originally said that he must have had a seizure when he was behind the wheel and it was possible that the deceased may have died before the traffic incident occurred as she had slumped over him in the vehicle,” Sgt Boss said.

“The defendant then went on to say that the deceased had woken up in the morning with a rash and they were concerned about that, and that he was driving to the hospital in the morning.”

The Forensic Crash Unit was at Cascade St on Wednesday, September 7. Picture: Jessica Baker

Defence solicitor Erin Duan said her client – a pensioner and cleaner for his late partner’s company – was contesting the dangerous operation charge.

She said he had indicated a potential defence, being that his late partner had suffered a medical episode while he was driving.

Sgt Boss said the Crown’s case was “strong” and it was unlikely the woman’s death was the result of a medical episode.

Acting magistrate Rob Turra ultimately refused Cutts’ application for bail and adjourned the matter to September 28 for committal-mention when the accused will again appear by video.