Police arrest 50-year-old Surfers Paradise Woman after she allegedly crashed into police car in stolen vehicle

The lawyer for a woman who attempted to reverse into a police car in a stolen vehicle while on bail for drug offending has told court why she did it - but the Magistrate was unimpressed.

Michelle Robyn Cavanagh.

The lawyer for a woman who attempted to reverse into a police car in a stolen vehicle while on bail for drug-related offending has told court she was racing to secure a rental lease.

Michelle Robyn Cavanagh, in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday, applied for bail after being charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, failure to do a breath test, driving unlicensed, fail to use reasonable care with syringe, possession of a pipe and also dangerous drugs, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and receiving tainted property.

Police prosecutor Sergeant James Pedlow said Cavanagh “continued to commit offences until she is arrested” and had not to complied with bail conditions previously.

“She drives at will (while) disqualified,” he said of the fresh charges. “The court order means nothing to this defendant.”

The court heard the car she was driving, stolen on February 2, initially drew police attention when a passenger was allegedly seen smoking an ice pipe.

Michelle Robyn Cavanagh leaving the Southport Watchhouse.

Michelle Robyn Cavanagh leaving the Southport Watchhouse.

Defence lawyer, Michael Gatenby of Gatenby Law, claimed his client only reversed “a very short distance” and no police were hurt.

Cavanagh had been homeless for 10 months but finally started to get “back on track” with National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) getting her a unit in Labrador.

Her daughters had looked after the bond and tendered a letter of support to the court.

Mr Gatenby said the latest offending occurred as Cavanagh was rushing to secure the new residence, which she would lose if not bailed.

“Ironically, all of the NRAS documents were in the vehicle and she was desperately trying to get around to lock in that accommodation,” Mr Gatenby said.

Magistrate Dzenita Balic replied: “Yes, but reversing into police officers is not going to help”.

“She’s a woman with very complex needs,” Mr Gatenby said.

Since she was already on a suspended prison sentence, the defence said Cavanagh was “in a difficult position”.

“If she doesn’t get into that accommodation (and remains in custody), she gets out and she’s back on the roundabout,” he submitted.

Magistrate Balic told Mr Gatenby his client “keeps putting herself in that position”, knowing she was already on court orders.

“The court might say (Cavanagh) had her last opportunity last time she was granted bail but this time she will be released and go into that accommodation,” the lawyer said.

Magistrate Balic said it was concerning Cavanagh’s offending seemed to be “ascending”.

“When released on parole, she went back to drugs. She’s an unacceptable risk.”

Magistrate Balic said Cavanagh’s argument of being able to care for her daughters wasn’t persuasive “because she has been consistently offending, knowing that she is a mother, and that hasn’t stopped her at all”.

“Cavanagh has really given up on herself, it seems her children are trying to do their best to assist,” Magistrate Balic said.

Magistrate Balic granted strict conditional bail, banning Cavanagh leaving the house between 9pm and 7am, weekday reporting to police, and not driving.