Daniel Connors, 24, makes fresh bid to get out of prison after wild Northern Rivers crime spree
A Richmond Valley prison parolee went on a crime spree across the Northern Rivers, including getting into a cop chase in a stolen car, which had to be stopped with road spikes.
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A Richmond Valley prison parolee went on a crime spree across the Northern Rivers, including getting into a cop chase in a stolen car, which had to be stopped with road spikes.
Now, Daniel Connors, 24, has made a new bid to get out from behind bars, despite the offending after his release from Clarence Correctional Centre near Grafton in late July.
Connors faced Lismore Local Court over videolink from behind bars.
He pleaded guilty to break-and-enter, driving a stolen car, driving unlicensed, having suspected stolen goods and two counts each of travelling in a stolen car and dishonestly obtaining property by deception.
The spree began on August 26, when Connors drove a car he knew was stolen from Byron suburb Suffolk Park.
He filled the stolen vehicle with more than $200 worth of fuel – which he did not pay for.
A few days later, Connors broke into a Casino home and stole a man’s phone, wallet, keys and helped himself to a car.
The next day, Connors swerved the stolen vehicle toward a patrolling police car on Sherman Dr at Lismore. The officer behind the wheel had to evade a crash and a police chase began.
Police spiked the stolen car twice on the Bruxner Highway, while Connors was travelling about 140kmh in an 80kmh zone.
Tyres disintegrated and sparks were flying, police state in court documents.
The car eventually stopped on Grant St, Ballina and Connors was arrested. He was found carrying several stolen ID cards.
Connors’ defence lawyer lodged a release application in the court on October 25.
He said he could not understand why police could not find Connor because he attended court for separate matters on several occasions.
“He is a young Bundjalung man, he suffers from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and an intellectual disability,” the lawyer told the court.
Connors had been in a motorbike accident and needed to attend upcoming medical appointments, the court heard.
Magistrate Kathy Crittenden said there were several victims involved and Connors had a criminal record.
Bail was refused and the case was adjourned to November.
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