Ray Hadley slams court decision to allow alleged drunk driver to remain on bail after boy’s death

NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman has vowed to get to the bottom of why a driver’s bail was not revoked after she was charged killing a nine-year-old James Edds.

Kristie Merrett (left) has been charged over the death of James Edds (right).

NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman intervened and vowed to get to the bottom of why a driver was given bail after being charged with killing a nine-year-old boy on the Central Coast earlier this month.

“My thoughts go to the family and friends of James Edds for their tragic loss. I cannot imagine the pain and suffering they must be feeling,” Mr Speakman said.

“I have urgently ordered the transcript in relation to this matter, in order to better understand the bail decision and bail conditions.

“Given the gravity of this matter, I have asked the ODPP if they will be bringing a fresh detention application”.

It came after veteran broadcaster Ray Hadley furiously hit out on radio on Moday morning at a magistrate who refused to revoke the bail for the alleged drunk driver charged with killing James Edds.

Ray Hadley blasted the magistrate for the bail decision.

James Edds died after his car was hit by an alleged drunk driver on the Central Coast. Picture: Supplied.

On January 4, according to the court documents, it is alleged Kristie Merrett was driving a black SUV when it failed to give way at an intersection and crashed into a car where schoolboy James Edds was a passenger.

After the crash Merrett was charged with seven offences including aggravated driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and driving under the influence of alcohol. She was also charged with high-range drink-driving, causing bodily harm by misconduct while in charge of a motor vehicle and possessing a prohibited drug.

James later died from horrific head injuries and police laid three further charges against Merrett including aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death and dangerous driving occasioning death while under the influence.

Police attempted to revoke Merrett’s bail when the additional charges were laid, however Magistrate Jennifer Price allowed her to remain on bail.

On Monday, Hadley slammed Magistrate Price for the decision.

“The bail was granted on January 5 when the little boy was still alive, the charges are upgraded, she killed the little boy, allegedly,” Hadley said during his 2GB radio show.

“That’s offensive to the family of the deceased boy, offensive”, a furious Hadley said.

“What’s also offensive is the decision by the Magistrate Jennifer Price to grant bail to this woman.”

Over the weekend Hadley received an email from James’ grandfather, and he vowed to take the matter to a higher level.

“I have asked Mark Speakman to look into this matter immediately!” he said.

“It’s just inconsolable, it doesn’t make any sense.”

During the bail argument, the court heard that Merrett had a mid-range drink-driving conviction in 2021.

Merrett’s current bail conditions require her to report to police three days a week, abstain from drugs and alcohol, and not occupy the driver’s seat of a car.

She next faces court on March 24.