Woman faces court accused of high speed car chase on Bribie Island

A Caboolture woman accused of leading police on a high speed chase through Bribie Island, crashing into cars as she went, has asked a magistrate for bail.

A Caboolture woman with an extensive history of stealing was denied bail, after she allegedly stole a car and led police on a car and foot chase through Bribie Island.

Forty-two year-old Rachael Leigh Patterson appeared in Caboolture Magistrate Court via video link from the watch-house on August 17, facing 11 charges related to the alleged theft of a car on the Sunshine Coast and dangerous, high speed driving which police claim resulted in Patterson crashing into another vehicle.

It’s alleged Patterson gained entry to a Mooloolaba address on August 9, found car keys and stole a car which was used in a number of other offences.

Police observed Patterson leaving a stolen white Toyota HiLux at a shopping centre in Bongaree shortly before 3pm on August 15.

Patterson allegedly got back into the car with groceries before driving off at high speed and in a dangerous manner through Beachmere.

Polair monitored the car before police successfully deployed a tyre deflation device at the intersection of Beachmere and Bribie Island roads before the car then allegedly ran a red light, collided with two other vehicles and continued east.

Patterson then allegedly turned the vehicle onto the wrong side of the road at the intersection of Pasturage and Bribie Island roads, colliding head-on with a red KIA Sportage, being driven by a sixty-three year-old man, taken from the scene with injuries.

Both vehicles extensively damaged, Patterson allegedly ran west on foot to a nearby service station where she was arrested.

Rachael Leigh Patterson. Picture: Rachael Patterson/Facebook.

When prosecutor K.E. Spicer spoke about Patterson allegedly stealing the car from a Mooloolaba address, Patterson interrupted, pleading she did not steal the vehicle.

Magistrate Peter Hasted had to tell Patterson to listen in absolute silence.

The court was told Patterson’s criminal history includes robbery with actual violence, 13 stealing offences, five occasions of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, assault occasioning bodily harm and drug related offences.

“She’s received the court’s benefit on a number of occasions with parole and early release dates, yet continues to commit like offences while out in the community,” Ms Spicer said.

“There are no conditions this court could propose that would prevent this defendant from committing like offences.”

Defence lawyer Blair Hoolihan said Patterson suffered from post traumatic stress disorder and bipolar, was a mother of six and needed mental health assistance.

“She needs to see mental health as soon as she can if released on bail,” Mr Hoolihan said.

“Ms Patterson has experienced custody previously and in her experience it takes a long time to get mental health assistance.

“There could be a condition of bail that she sees Caboolture mental health within 48 hours of release.”

In refusing bail, Magistrate Hasted said the offences before the court were very serious and the risk of injury to those on the road was also serious.

Patterson was remanded in custody and will reappear at Caboolture Magistrate Court on September 15, 2022.