Callum Sutherland charged with driving into teens after dropping them off at Noraville
An informal ride-share driver, who was on bail for malicious damage, allegedly ploughed into a group of teens after dropping them off.
Central Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Central Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An 18-year-old was just days away from being sentenced for causing $25,000 damage on a work site when he allegedly took his dad’s vehicle at 3am, gave a lift to some friends and then allegedly ploughed into them after dropping them off, a court has heard.
Callum Sutherland, of Noraville, faced Wyong Local Court today charged with a raft of offences including two counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct behind the wheel.
The court heard Mr Sutherland had taken his father’s van about 3am on Sunday and drove to a commercial premises where he met up with some friends who asked him for a lift.
Magistrate Caleb Franklin said police alleged the defendant drove erratically before dropping them off when “some disagreement” took place.
Referring to the police facts, tendered briefly during Mr Sutherland’s bail application, Mr Franklin said the defendant then did a U-turn and allegedly drove into the group causing a significant head injury to one victim and injuries to another victim’s body.
Police allege he was called by the group of teenagers who had asked for a lift as part of an informal ride-share service and that he was “allegedly under the influence of alcohol”.
Mr Franklin said Mr Sutherland was on bail at the time and one of his conditions was to abide by a curfew.
He said Mr Sutherland was due to be sentenced in Penrith Local Court on Thursday to malicious damage and being in possession of a safe-breaking implement.
Mr Franklin told the court Mr Sutherland had gained entry to a job site in February and damaged machinery to the value of $25,000.
When he was arrested after a brief foot pursuit the magistrate said Mr Sutherland was found to be in possession of a screw driver.
His Legal Aid solicitor applied for bail, telling the court Mr Sutherland could live with his mother in St Clair in Western Sydney and report to police daily.
She said he was a “young Aboriginal man” who would be vulnerable if remanded in custody.
His solicitor told the court he only had the malicious damage and the weekend’s driving matters on his record and that he was undertaking an Aboriginal drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.
However, Mr Franklin said Mr Sutherland had repeatedly failed to attend court, that if convicted of these matters he would be facing at least two years jail and the risk to the community of reoffending could not be mitigated.
Mr Franklin formally refused bail and adjourned the matter to November 19.