Ex-Collingwood VFL player Chas Bromley avoids jail for carjacking nurse at Northcote
A former Collingwood VFL player delisted for “drug use” fell into a downward spiral which ended with homelessness and a terrifying carjacking against a nurse in Northcote, a court has heard. Now, he wants to return to the field.
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A former top junior footballer who attacked a nurse during a violent carjacking in Northcote has avoided further jail time.
Chas Bromley, 26, from Epping, was sentenced in the County Court today to time served – 293 days – after pleading guilty to carjacking and dangerous driving.
The court heard Bromley had used meth when he attacked his victim on Evans Cres and demanded her car keys just before noon on January 4, last year.
Bromley, a midfielder, played for Collingwood’s VFL side between 2013 and 2014 but was delisted due to his drug use, the court heard.
His drug use worsened and he became homeless after he was axed by Collingwood.
The court heard nurse – who had been caring for an elderly patient in the area – ran away but Bromley chased her down.
She screamed for help after Bromley stopped her from entering a nearby house.
Bromley then threw the nurse to the ground and stomped on her foot.
The pair struggled until Bromley ripped the car keys from the nurse’s hand.
She chased after him but Bromley sped away in her Holden Viva wagon.
Bromley ran a red light near Darebin Rd and collided with a BMW but drove off.
Police found the car abandoned in Thomastown early on January 6.
Investigators linked Bromley to the crime through clothing, CCTV and blood found in the car.
In her victim statement, the nurse said she is now “hyper-vigilant”, and “terrified” when approached by others.
In a recent incident, the victim said she ran across a busy road and into oncoming traffic after she was approached on the street by a woman.
She is also constantly “frightened” of being robbed.
Judge George Georgiou said Bromley’s offending was “clearly serious”.
“An innocent person was subjected to a terrifying ordeal in which she suffered physical injury as well as significant psychological trauma,” Judge Georgiou said.
However, Judge Georgiou accepted Bromley was in a psychotic state due to a schizophrenic condition.
He said drug use “may have” heightened the condition.
“I find that your level of culpability for the offending was substantially reduced by reason of your mental illness,” Judge Georgiou said.
“Further, your offending was not premeditated, the carjacking occurred on the spur of the moment and was of relatively short duration, your conduct was clearly unsophisticated.”
At his plea, the court heard Bromley was an “exceptionally talented junior footballer” who “attracted the interest of AFL clubs”.
Bromley played TAC Cup football with the Northern Knights before he was invited to train with the Carlton Football Club, the court heard.
Bromley – through his lawyer – said he was “encouraged” to socialise with Carlton’s VFL side’s “older players” while at the club.
The court heard Bromley was offered cocaine.
His lawyer later told Leader it was “reported to him” that the older players gave Bromley the cocaine.
Carlton offered Bromley a spot on their VFL list but he opted to play for Collingwood instead.
Bromley – who hasn’t played football since 2017 – wants to resume his career.
Bromley’s lawyer said his client’s “considerable talent” could take him to the top (AFL), the VFL or a metro or country league.
Bromley – who was smoking a “few points” of meth each day in the lead-up to the offending – accepted responsibility but cannot recollect the carjacking.
He was later diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Bromley was also placed on two 24-month community correction orders to be served concurrently.
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