Lauren Aynsley pleads not guilty to concealing, hindering police investigation

A Queanbeyan woman has denied concealing information during an investigation into a hit and run where a man with a chainsaw was allegedly run down by a car at an apartment complex.

Lauren Aynsley has pleaded not guilty to two charges and faces a hearing in Queanbeyan Local Court.

A Queanbeyan woman has denied hindering a police investigation after a man was allegedly run over in a unit car park while holding a chainsaw.

Lauren Aynsley, 39, has pleaded not guilty to concealing a serious indictable offence and hindering an investigation after Natalie Smith allegedly fled the scene when she struck a man with a car at a Queanbeyan apartment complex on November 14, 2022.

Police allege the 39-year-old knew grievous bodily harm had been committed by Smith and had information which could be of assistance but failed to bring that to police.

It’s further alleged she provided false information to police to hinder their investigation.

Lauren Aynsley arriving at court.

Smith is charged with multiple offences including causing grievous bodily harm with intent and is still before the court.

Police body worn camera footage played during Aynsley’s hearing in Queanbeyan Local Court on Wednesday revealed the frenzied morning following the alleged hit and run.

In the video, paramedics assessed the alleged victim for severe leg injuries while he moaned in pain.

Several officers confer about what they’ve been told occurred, where a man was allegedly chased around a carpark by Smith in a vehicle before she drove off. Police were told the man was allegedly holding a chainsaw at the time.

Several videos were shown in court of officers trying to talk to Aynsley in her unit on the day, on December 21, and December 22, 2022. In all three videos she allegedly didn’t open the door to police.

In body worn camera footage after the Queanbeyan woman’s arrest on March 1, 2023 a detective alleged she concealed what happened and lied about Smith selling her car.

Lauren Aynsley has pleaded not guilty to two charges.

The detective further alleged Aynsley took steps to hinder them and provided information to “deflect” their investigation.

Aynsley told the officer she didn’t see what happened and only heard the alleged victim yelling out “you’ve run me over … call the police … stop” after she came home while running late for work.

The detective said police had CCTV showing Aynsley walking up the stairs after Smith came home in a vehicle.

Two detectives were cross examined during the hearing by Aynsley’s lawyer Andrew Herring, who suggested there had been enough information to know Smith was allegedly involved.

Mr Herring said Aynsley spoke to police on November 18, 2022 who said she didn’t see the incident, and had been told by Smith she sold her car which is why she needed lifts from Aynsley to appointments.

The defence lawyer said during one of the detective’s visits on December 21, 2022 there was nothing to show Aynsley was home besides her vehicle.

Another detective was cross examined by Mr Herring who queried her on the elements required to charge Smith after her arrest on November 15, 2022.

The hearing before magistrate Roger Clisdell continues on Thursday.