Kristianne Bycroft: Fresh charge for driver who went Newcastle rampage
A woman has faced court after she was filmed pursuing a man through the streets of Newcastle, ramming several cars and hitting her target with a ute. SEE THE FOOTAGE.
Newcastle
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It was the early morning road rage spree caught on video – its upload sending social media into a frenzy.
Kristianne Francis Bycroft caused mayhem on the streets of Newcastle late last year, pursuing a man she claimed owed her money, ramming several vehicles and eventually hitting him with her own.
Tradies who witnessed the incident were nearly run down when they attempted to stop Bycroft’s Ford Falcon ute, but she took off again, T-boning a car as she fled the scene.
The 29-year-old looked far less intimidating as she faced court on Monday, dressed in prison greens for her video appearance from Dillwynia Women’s Correctional Centre, where she has remained in custody since her arrest.
Bycroft’s Legal Aid solicitor Julian Mufale entered guilty pleas on her behalf to all five charges, including a fresh and more serious charge of predatory driving.
She had previously been charged with using/possessing or attempting/threatening to use an offensive weapon etc to commit an indictable offence, driving recklessly/furiously in a speed/manner dangerous, not giving particulars to other driver, and possessing a prohibited drug.
She did not apply for and was formally refused bail.
Court documents revealed at least six police officers and five civilians witnessed the road rage spree, that started at 6.15am on November 13.
Bycroft had met a man in the Hunter St, Newcastle KFC car park, where the two had a dispute about money.
The man left in his Holden Barina, with Bycroft taking up pursuit in the Ford ute.
“While travelling on Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle West (Bycroft) rammed (the victim’s car),” the documents said.
“Both vehicles continued onto Stewart Ave where they drove in a southerly direction.
“While on Stewart Ave, (Bycroft) again collided with the rear of (the victim’s car).
“Both vehicles continued on Stewart Ave, before turning left onto King St where (Bycroft) again collided with the rear of (the victim’s car) a number of times.”
The documents said Bycroft twice more rammed the Holden Barina at the intersection of Hunter St and Stewart Ave, causing it to lose control and stop, then become disabled.
“The victim exited the vehicle and approached the driver’s side door (of Bycroft's vehicle),” the documents said.
“The victim reached into the vehicle in an attempt to remove the keys.
“The accused wound the windows up causing the victim’s arm to become trapped.
“The victim managed to free before going to the front of the vehicle.
“(Bycroft) reversed back a short distance before again driving towards the victim, hitting him.”
The documents said Bycroft then fled the scene, running a red light and ramming two cars that were stopped at the intersection.
“(Bycroft) collided with both vehicles before continuing through the intersection, and narrowly missed a number of pedestrians who had entered the roadway in an attempt to assist in stopping the vehicle.
“While travelling through the intersection the vehicle T-boned a black Mazda 3.
“The accused failed to stop or make any attempt to render assistance to any persons involved or make any attempt to exchange details.”
The victim was treated at John Hunter Hospital for minor injuries.
Bycroft was arrested at a nearby hotel less than three hours later, after ditching the ute in a driveway on King St.
Court documents said she had about two-and-half grams of cannabis in her handbag at the time.
Bycroft’s pursuit was caught on camera by multiple tradespeople working in the area, and quickly uploaded to social media.
The videos garnered thousands of views, putting pressure on police to find and arrest the driver.
Bycroft sobbed as the footage was played during her first court appearance on the day of her arrest.
On that occasion she called the victim a “junkie”, claiming he owed her $300.
Bycroft will be sentenced on March 1.
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