Oaklee Vreman-Naughton, Brady Williams charged after cop dragged from vehicle, pursuits
A Wollongong couple allegedly involved in an incident which saw a police officer dragged by a moving vehicle on Sunday, were arrested following a pursuit through the Hunter region.
Newcastle
Don't miss out on the headlines from Newcastle. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A court has heard how a Wollongong man, who was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his ex-girlfriend, which led police on a series of dangerous pursuits across the Hunter, was desperate to get out of the vehicle.
“I told her to let me out,” Brady Williams told officers according to police facts.
The 27-year-old was with Oaklee Vreman-Naughton, 24, on Sunday August 30 when the pair were pulled over at Bingara, near Moree, for displaying false number plates.
But when an officer tried to speak to the couple, police facts allege Williams yelled “go, go” and slammed the vehicle into gear, before Vreman-Naughton revved it and floored it.
But the officer who had reached inside the vehicle to stop it leaving was dragged for a distance before he fell heavily, suffering a bleeding lump on the left side of his head.
The alleged incident saw several pursuits initiated but all were terminated.
Two days later, the pair were caught driving along the Pacific Highway at Karuah and again engaged in a number of alleged pursuits.
But this time, road spikes were successfully deployed at Ferodale and the car came to a crashing halt after hitting a cement barrier. They were both arrested and charged.
Williams appeared first at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Wednesday and applied for bail.
His solicitor Matthew Unwin entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention.
He told the court Williams was an “innocent bystander” in the vehicle and there was no suggestion he was criminally responsible for the actions that took place.
“Apon being arrested and removed from vehicle, Ms Vreman-Naughton nominated herself to police as the driver and said to the officer “I made him do it”, Mr Unwin said.
“He denies saying “go go” and said he didn’t want to flee or encourage the driver.
“He said he did not want to be part of this and the co-accused did not allow him to exit the vehicle.”
But Prosecutor Matt Barry opposed bail saying he was a definite risk of re-offending, with his previous lengthy record and currently being on parole.
He told the court it was clear in the facts, Williams jammed the vehicle into gear and had ample opportunity to leave the vehicle the next two days but didn’t.
“He was a willing participant, he’s allowed himself to be in the vehicle for 2 days,” he said.
Magistrate Brett Shields refused bail and his matter was adjourned until October.
Vreman-Naughton, who was set to appear on Wednesday, was instead taken to hospital and her matter was adjourned until next week.
She has been charged with two counts of police pursuit Skye’s Law, four counts of use unregistered vehicle, use a weapon to prevent lawful detention, two counts of use a vehicle displaying misleading number plates and two counts of use uninsured motor vehicle.
She was also charged with three outstanding warrants.