Former bikie Jock Ross wants to know why Nicola Teo charges were dropped

The DPP is being pressured to explain why all charges were dropped against neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo’s daughter, who was due to face trial over a head-on crash where a former bikie boss was injured.

The state’s top prosecutor is under pressure to publicly explain why he dropped serious driving charges against the daughter of neurosurgeon Charlie Teo as the alleged victim’s family claim they were only told at 9pm the night before the trial was due to start.

The wife of rural firefighter and former bikie boss Jock Ross – who was left fighting for his life after Nicola Teo knocked him off his Harley Davidson after allegedly swerving on to the wrong side of the road – said prosecutors told her it was “unlikely we will win”.

Vanessa Ross on Wednesday said her husband, 78, had been willing to give evidence about the head-on crash with Ms Teo’s Toyota LandCruiser in September 2019 which left him in an induced coma and suffering leg and internal injuries.

All charged against Nicola Teo were dropped on Tuesday. Picture: John Grainger

Ms Teo’s trial, due to start on Monday in the NSW District Court, was postponed for a day at the request of the prosecution who told the court the main issue was going to be a defence of “automatism” and they were waiting for a psychiatric report.

The court was told on Tuesday the Director of Public Prosecutions was dropping all charges in relation to the crash on Settlers Rd at Lower Macdonald, near Wisemans Ferry, in the Hawkesbury region.

“We only heard from the DPP the night before the court case to say they were dropping it because of the psych report,” Ms Ross said.

“They said they were not going to proceed with the case because it was unlikely they were going to win.

“Jock asked them to let that be decided in court, but they said it was unlikely they’d win it.”

Automatism is a rare defence and can be caused by medical conditions including a fit, diabetes, concussion or an involuntarily movement such as a spasm or reflex. It is not known what the psychiatric reports into Ms Teo’s mental health said.

Jock Ross and his family want answers as to why the charges were dropped against Nicola Teo.

Opposition legal affairs spokesman Michael Daley said the public had a right to know.

“Unless there is some strong reason not to, it wouldn’t hurt for the DPP to explain why it has dropped all charges to ensure ongoing public confidence,” he said

A spokeswoman for the DPP Lloyd Babb SC, who is due to retire next month, said the decision to prosecute was made in accordance with DPP prosecution guidelines.