Teen who mowed down Constable Peter McAulay charged over stolen car, weapons weeks after release from prison

The teenager who used a stolen car to run down Queensland cop Peter McAulay has faced court charged over weapons, drugs and driving a stolen vehicle just weeks after his release from detention.

The teenager found guilty of using a stolen car to mow down junior Queensland Police officer Peter McAulay, leaving him seriously injured on the roadside, has faced court for allegedly driving a stolen vehicle just weeks after he was released from jail.

The teen, now aged 18, cannot be identified due to his young age at the time he ran Constable McAulay down just west of Brisbane in September 2018.

Just weeks after being released from detention for the intentional, malicious act – committed in a stolen car – the teen has fronted court on multiple charges, including at least one charge relating to driving a stolen vehicle.

The teen

Peter McAulay was mowed down and seriously injured by a teenager driving a stolen car in Ipswich, 2018.

is also accused of allegedly being in possession of a weapon at the time he was arrested.

He fronted Beenleigh Magistrates Court was charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, obstruct police officer, unlawful possession of a weapon, driving without displaying L plates, and failing to hold an appropriate learner’s driving licence.

He was released on bail and will face court again on June 23.

The teen’s alleged offending comes just two months after he was released from the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre in March, following two and a half years behind bars for running down Constable McAulay while he attempted to deploy road spikes in Booval, Ipswich.

The teen was sentenced to five years, to spend half of his sentence behind bars.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the teen who seriously injured Const McAulay should be “held to account”.

“For my purpose, that person really should be held to account for what they have done. And Peter, who is back with us and obviously suffering still from those injuries back then, I feel for him and his family.

“That person, I’m hoping, will come before court again and be held to account.”

Asked whether the decision to grant the teen bail was appropriate, Ms Carroll said it was not for her to “comment on independent decisions of Magistrates”.

“I hope, I sincerely hope, that when that person goes to court that they get held to account for what they’re doing,” she said.

Constable McAulay, who was 24 at the time, was left in a coma.

The junior police officer was dragged several metres and suffered broken bones and critical head injuries.

At the time it was unknown if Constable McAulay would survive, however he was able to return to work at Goodna Police Station in July last year.

Peter McAulay returned to work as a police officer last year. Picture: Supplied

Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers has come out swinging, saying the teen should never have been allowed out on bail, promising to discuss legal options in relation to the teen’s release.

“The allegations are that he has committed further offences and has been to court and has been released at large on bail,” Mr Leavers said.

“I don’t know what sort of world we’re living in with the judiciary the way they are. Pete McAulay’s life has changed forever. He will never be the same. He will never return to operational policing duties and he suffers each and every day.”

Mr Leavers said the judicial system fell for “a complete load of rubbish,” when taking the teen’s apology letter into account when sentencing him for mowing down Constable McAulay.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll . Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“This young person pleaded, wrote a letter of apology and said that if he was given a lighter sentence, he would turn his life around.

“What a complete load of rubbish that was. The courts fell for it.

“He wanted to be a productive member of the community. What absolute rubbish. The court fell for it and the people of Queensland are tired of it.

“I guarantee all people would say this is manifestly, absolutely unacceptable.”

Mr Leavers said the facts that were put before the judicial officer in relation to the granting of bail in relation to his most recent alleged offending “certainly were not taken into account in any way, shape or form.”

“Their life has not been impacted forever and a day, they are still okay,” Mr Leavers said.

“But Pete McAulay suffers each and every day.”

Mr Leaver’s said he will be talking to lawyers to see what can be done now the teen has been released on bail.

“The offence he was charged with when he mowed down Pete McAulay was very serious.... the courts need to be held to account. Now obviously it was a very serious offence committed as a juvenile, but how does one get bail for this type of thing.”

He said he has spoken to Constable McAulay this morning following news the teen allegedly reoffended and was released out on bail.

“Pete feels like he’s been let down by the system,” Mr Leavers said.

“He is a victim. He’s powerless to be able to do anything and his life has changed forever.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers. File picture: John Gass

“We have an alleged young recidivist offender back out. This is an absolute disgrace and needs urgent attention with a matter of urgency.”

The teen was initially sentenced to three years to serve 18 months behind bars when he was found guilty of mowing down Constable McAulay.

After extensive rallying from the Police Union and an outpouring of community support, the Attorney-General appealed the sentence, meaning the teen would serve a five year sentence, to complete two and a half years behind bars.

He was released in March for the 2018 crime.

Mr Leavers said he often failed to understand the decision of the courts.

“I just don’t know at times where the judiciary come from. Do they live in the the world that we all live in?

“Because clearly they don’t. They do not see the impact these alleged recidivist young offenders are having on people’s lives.”

With a background working in the child protection and investigation unit, Mr Leavers said he was all for young people turning their lives around.

However he said in relation to this teen, there was only one option if he was found guilty of the new offences.

“There is only one answer,” Mr Leavers said.

“And that is jail.

“I’m interested to see where other government departments stand on this... it’s obviously complex... but start working, and start doing the job you’re paid to do, and that is to ensure the safety of the people of Queensland. So there’s other government agencies which need to step up as well as the judiciary.....

“(The people of Queensland) will be horrified that this person is back out on the streets and has allegedly committed serious crimes and has been granted bail. It just beggars belief that this can occur.”