Toormina crash accused Clayton Gray took knife into Coffs Harbour court
The man facing a string of charges in relation to a horror smash at Toormina walked into Coffs court with a knife in his bum bag.
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Clayton Reece Gray’s lawyer told Coffs Harbour Local Court he “simply forgot” about the knife in his bum bag when he went through the security check at the courthouse on May 2.
All those who enter court must go through a security check and place their bags through an x-ray similar to airport security.
His lawyer told the court it wasn’t a flick knife but a serrated credit card-style knife, or a survival tool.
He also told the court his client was on a disability payment and had a limited capacity to pay a fine.
Gray is currently facing 11 charges arising from a serious head-on smash at Toormina in June last year.
It was a confronting scene for first responders and residents when two cars ploughed into each other on Sawtell Road about 1pm on June 3.
The 44-year-old has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Police allege he was the driver of a Holden Captiva SUV that was travelling west on Sawtell Road at Toormina when it collided head-on with a Honda CRV travelling in the opposite direction.
Mr Gray and his two passengers – a 38-year-old-man and 38-year-old woman – were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Coffs Harbour Health Campus with multiple, serious injuries.
The driver of the Honda was a 64-year-old man. He was trapped for some time before being freed by firefighters.
Police arrested Gray several months later on November 25 and charged him with several offences. He has been granted conditional bail and the case adjourned to June 28.
On Tuesday, June 14, he appeared in Coffs Harbour Local court and pleaded guilty to the charge in relation to the knife – custody of knife in public place – subsequent offence.
Magistrate Ian Rodgers described the knife as a bank card knife but Gray interrupted saying it was a tool.
Mr Rodgers said the incident “raises very significant concern” and that Gray’s “history does not assist him”.
He was convicted and fined $550.
The full list of charges he is facing in relation to the Toormina crash are:
- aggravated dangerous driving occasion grievous bodily harm – drive under the influence of drug or drugs,
- dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – drive under the influence,
- dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – drive manner danger,
- negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm),
- negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm),
- cause bodily harm by misconduct, in charge of motor vehicle,
- cause bodily harm by misconduct, in charge of motor vehicle,
- drive vehicle under influence of drugs,
- drive vehicle, illicit drug present in blood,
- drive while licence cancelled,
- not keep left of dividing line – not class B/C vehicle.
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