Push to move case against an alleged carjacker over conflict of interest with magistrates, prosecutors

UPDATE: Court hears there had been a warrant out for the 25 year old’s arrest when he allegedly threatened a member of police prosecutions with a knife and stole a car.

Police arrested a South Mackay man over a carjacking at Mount Pleasant on Wednesday

UPDATE 5.30PM: A court heard the 25 year old alleged carjacker had a warrant out for his arrest.

Dillon Alexanda Coulton is charged with armed robbery, three counts of evasion, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and disqualified driving after he allegedly threatened a woman with a knife before stealing a Toyota LandCruiser.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard the alleged victim was linked to the police prosecutions unit.

Mr Coulton appeared in the dock before Whitsunday Magistrate James Morton on Friday afternoon after both Mackay magistrates declared a conflict of interest in hearing the case.

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The court heard Mr Coulton was charged with four other unrelated offences and had been set to front court in January this year.

The charges were disqualified driving, two counts of fraud and failing to properly dispose of a needle and syringe.

He failed to appear in court and an arrest warrant was released.

The case was adjourned so a legal aid application could be made. A brief of evidence was ordered in relation to the armed robbery charge.

Mr Morton noted the case was before him because the two judicial officers in Mackay “have a conflict” before adding “I don’t know of this victim”.

Matters were adjourned to April for committal mention. Mr Coulton did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody.

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EARLIER: A police prosecutor has requested the case against an accused carjacker be moved to Townsville after two Mackay magistrates and the entire police prosecutions unit expressed a conflict of interest.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard the alleged victim, who was in court for the case, was a member of police prosecutions and had worked in that industry in the region for about 10 years.

Duty solicitor Erin Beer, of Legal Aid Queensland, also stated a conflict of interest in the case.

Dillon Alexanda Coulton is charged with six offences including armed robbery, three counts of evasion, disqualified driving and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

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Matters were mentioned before Whitsunday Magistrate James Morton, who sits in Mackay each month.

The court heard sitting Mackay Magistrates Damien Dwyer and Bronwyn Hartigan had expressed a conflict.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Sabine Scott asked for the case to be moved to Townsville where it would be determined if there would be a bail application.

Mr Coulton, 25, was arrested late on Thursday after a one-day concentrated police push from the Mackay region to Rockhampton. He is currently in Mackay watch-house.

It is alleged he threatened a woman sitting in a vehicle with a knife about 10.30am on Wednesday before stealing a Toyota LandCruiser at the Mount Pleasant Centre.

Sgt Scott said because of the woman’s link to police prosecutions no one in the unit could appropriately deal with the case.

Mr Morton said he was not familiar with the woman and queried if the case had to move to Townsville.

The case has been stood down while inquires were made for another defence solicitor to appear on the matter.

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Originally published as Push to move case against an alleged carjacker over conflict of interest with magistrates, prosecutors