Gregory Williams charged for alleged hit-and-run attack on 19-year-old mum at Palmerston

A Rapid Creek man accused of trying to run down a young mother applied for bail to get out of prison because it was ‘inconvenient’.

Gregory James Williams, 37, appeared in Darwin Local Court charged for his alleged involvement in a brutal hit and run attack in Palmerston on Friday, January 6.

A Rapid Creek man accused of mowing down a young mother in his car and injuring two bystanders has been denied bail.

Gregory James Williams, 37, appeared in Darwin Local Court charged for his alleged involvement in a brutal hit and run attack in Palmerston on Friday.

Police said two women were walking across the road near the Palmerston Bus Exchange when Williams allegedly slammed down on the accelerator.

It is alleged his vehicle mounted the kerb and hit both women before colliding with a parked vehicle.

The 37-year-old then allegedly ran away from the crash.

Both women and the driver in the parked vehicle suffered minor injuries.

On Monday the court heard Williams knew one of his alleged victims, a 19-year-old young mother with an intellectual disability.

Judge Tanya Fong Lim said this was the second charge against Williams for allegedly assaulting the teenager, with another file already before the courts.

His defence barrister Luke McLaughlin asked for the Rapid Creek man to be granted bail to “simply get his affairs in order” to ensure a “fair, just and perhaps a speedier outcome”.

Mr McLaughlin said Williams was originally from Queensland, and had no one to help him pack away his things and prepare for his anticipated jail term.

Gregory James Williams, 37, appeared in Darwin Local Court charged for his alleged involvement in a brutal hit and run attack in Palmerston on Friday, January 6.

“This is not a man who will shy away from what he has done,” he said.

“He knows he will be facing a lengthy term in prison.

“This will be a plea, what that plea looks like will be subject to extensive instructions.”

But prosecutor Nicholas Pratt said avoiding the “inconvenience” of a prison stint was not a strong reason for bail.

“There comes a point where the court must consider that one’s individual right to liberty while awaiting sentence cannot come before the safety of the victim,” Mr Pratt said.

The prosecutor said there were serious concerns for the “exceedingly vulnerable” teenage alleged victim.

Mr McLaughlin said Gregory Williams was originally from Queensland, and had no one to help him pack away his things and prepare for his anticipated jail term.

Mr Pratt said the charges were serious, with the maximum penalty up to life in prison.

While the court heard he had no offending record in the Territory, Mr Pratt said Williams had a criminal history from Queensland including breaches of bail.

Ms Fong Lim said there were no conditions that would allay her concerns for the young alleged victim, and denied the bail application.

Williams was charged with driving dangerously, recklessly endangering serious harm, not stopping after a crash, aggravated assault and failing to give way at a pedestrian crossing.

The alleged hit and run matter will return to court on March 8 for a preliminary examination mention, while the other hearing will go to a directions hearing on February 20.

Originally published as Gregory Williams charged for alleged hit-and-run attack on 19-year-old mum at Palmerston