Chris Hughes, driver charged over Jennifer Board’s death, denied bail at court

After spending almost 11 months behind bars the man accused of murdering a young woman as he chased a stolen car through Townsville has been denied bail.

THE man accused of murdering a young woman as he chased a stolen car through Townsville has been denied bail.

Christopher Michael Hughes, 26, made a bid for freedom on Thursday asking Justice David North to release him from custody on the second last day of court operations for the year.

Jennifer Board, 22, was riding her motorcycle on Ross River Rd in February when the aspiring police woman was fatally injured in a crash involving two other vehicles.

Prosecutors allege Hughes attempted to ram a stolen vehicle when he lost control and crashed into Ms Board.

Crown Prosecutor Joshua Francis told the court Hughes “laid in wait” for the stolen Hyundai and was captured on CCTV driving dangerously through Townsville in pursuit of the stolen car just prior to the crash.

“The offence and its consequences were serious,” he said.

“His pursuit was co-ordinated and he did so as a vigilante.

“He has effectively weaponised his vehicle.”

In the moments before the crash, the court was told, Hughes was travelling at speeds in excess of 100km/h in a 60km zone.

Mr Francis said Hughes’ actions were “protracted” and “deliberate” and objected to the bail application saying Hughes posed too high a risk of committing a further offence, endangering public safety or that he would interfere with witnesses if released.

Fatal

He said Hughes had a “history of disregard for the law” and that the 26-year-old was previously disqualified or suspended from driving 10 times.

“”He poses a danger to the community,” Mr Francis said.

“He is simply a person who should not be behind the wheel of a car ever.”

Defence barrister Frank Richards told the court the strength of the evidence against his client as “weak”.

“The evidence in support of the charge of murder is in my submission, weak.” he said.

Mr Richards noted that while evidence in support of a lesser charge, like manslaughter or dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, was “stronger” he submitted it would still not certainly result in a conviction.

Hughes was not present in court on Tuesday but about 10 supporters were in attendance including Jason Anthony Cousins.

Cousins was sentenced to two years probation in September last year for ramming a stolen car and causing it to smash into an ambulance.

Mr Richards said any risk his client posed to the community could be mitigated with a series of conditions, including a ban from the internet and driving, residential, reporting and other conditions which require he wear a GSP tracker.

Justice North denied the application.

While he accepted the Defence position the Crown could struggle to successfully prosecute Hughes on the murder charge he said there was still evidence against the 26-year-old.

“What is apparent … is that there is ample evidence available to the prosecution of dangerous driving, endangering other road users, and the public,” he said.

Hughes has spent almost 11 months in custody since he was arrested and charged in the days after the crash.

Bombshell claims aired as murder accused bids for freedom

BOMBSHELL claims have been aired in the case of a “vigilante” accused of killing a young woman while chasing a stolen car.

The shocking allegation that Christopher Michael Hughes destroyed evidence in the case against him was made during his bail application.

A small group of Ms Board’s family and friends who attended court were obviously shocked as Justice David North made the startling revelation against her accused murderer,

Justice North told the court it was alleged Hughes “participated in or encouraged the destruction” of evidence.

A child lays a bouquet of flowers at a memorial rally for Jennifer Board held near the accident site on Ross River Road. Picture: Evan Morgan

His comments were in response to claims from Hughes’ lawyer who dismissed the prosecution fear that the 26-year-old would interfere with witnesses or would otherwise attempt to pervert justice saying there was nothing to support this.

In response to this statement, Justice North questioned the barrister about the serious allegation that Hughes was involved in the destruction of dashcam footage.

“That was an attempt to suppress or destroy potential evidence wasn’t (it),” he questioned.

“He asked somebody to get the memory disk … from the dashcam and arranged for it to be destroyed or disposed of.

“There is evidence it was done by your client or counselled by your client.”

Crown Prosecutor Joshua Francis further elaborated on the claim as he said Hughes’ actions demonstrated a willingness to destroy potential evidence to “suit himself”.

Mr Francis alleged that Hughes directed someone to remove the dashcam footage and bring it to his home before destroying the memory card in the view of a witness.

“He demonstrated a propensity to obstruct justice,” he said.

Evidence unpacked in case against accused ‘vigilante’

Jennifer Board’s death rocked the community to its core.

An innocent life lost as tensions about youth crime in the city reached fever pitch amid claims members of the public had taken the law into their own hands.

Police at the scene of a fatal crash on Ross River Road where a young woman lost her a life. Picture: Alix Sweeney

A man is behind bars on remand charged with murder accused of showing reckless indifference to human life as he allegedly sped through the city chasing a stolen car before losing control and fatally colliding with the 22-year-old motorcycle rider.

New details about the case were revealed in court for the first time on Thursday.

The court was told the brief of evidence compiled in the case against Hughes included about 100 witness statements.

Police interviews and CCTV footage are just some of the items included in the compilation of police evidence.

Police say CCTV footage captures part of Hughes’ activity that night including him parked in a coffee shop car park allegedly waiting for the stolen vehicle to appear.

It is further alleged that CCTV footage also captures the moment he leaves the car park and pursues the stolen car at speed as he avoids other vehicles.

Further video evidence in the case allegedly also shows both vehicles run a red light as they turn onto Ross River Rd.

Details from the police interview with a teenage girl who was a passenger in the stolen car sheds more light on the critical moments before the crash.

The court was told that in the recorded interview the girl told police the car she was travelling in ran a red light before almost hitting a car.

She told officers the car Hughes was driving was just behind them.

The court was told the girl told police the driver of the stolen vehicle, 18-year-old Gregory Clubb “slammed” on the brakes in an attempt to evade their pursuers.

As this happened the teenage girl, who can’t legally be identified, said the car Hughes was driving “went to go the other way and he spun”.

Hughes is yet to formally enter a plea in the case which remains in the Magistrates Court jurisdiction with the next mention on February 10, 2022.

Originally published as Chris Hughes, driver charged over Jennifer Board’s death, denied bail at court