Richard Pusey: Eastern Freeway Porsche driver apologises to families of dead officers

A judge has described the Eastern Freeway Porsche driver as “probably the most hated man in Australia”.

Porsche driver Richard Puseyhas been described by a judge as “probably the most hated man in Australia”.

Richard Pusey filmed dead and dying police officers in the aftermath of the horror Eastern Freeway crash and commented “that is f---ing justice”.

Pusey, 42, has apologised to the families of the fallen officers as his lawyer argued he should not spend another day behind bars.

He was beamed into the County Court via video link on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to three charges – outraging public decency, reckless conduct endangering serious injury and possession of drugs of dependence – after striking a plea deal with prosecutors earlier this month.

Police officers arrive at the County Court on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Stuart Schultz, the husband of Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, arrives at court. Picture: David Crosling

Wearing prison greens and a mask, Pusey sat unmoving as the plea hearing was told how he filmed a moaning Senior Constable Lynette Taylor moments after a prime mover ploughed into her and three officers who were standing in the emergency lane on April 22.

Leading Senior Constable Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Glen Humphris and Constable Josh Prestney were struck and killed by drugged driver Mohinder Singh, who had swerved across multiple lanes of traffic.

Dermot Dann QC, for Pusey, began the hearing by expressing his condolences to the families of the officers, many of whom were sitting in the body of the courtroom.

Mr Dann also conveyed his client’s “regret” and shame, for filming and sharing the graphic footage - in which he zooms in on Constable Humphris and remarks “Oh he’s smashed” - instead of helping the fatally injured officers.

The court heard Pusey wandered through the scene for about three minutes filming the officers’ bodies and crumpled police cars.

At one point, he walks to the rear of the truck and says: “Look at that man, you f—-ing c—-s, you c—-s, I guess I’ll be getting an Uber home”.

Dermot Dann QC, for Pusey, began the hearing by expressing his condolences to the families of the officers, many of whom were sitting in the body of the courtroom.

However Mr Dann acknowledged it was “almost impossible” for any apology to have “any real meaning or comfort” to the families.

Richard Pusey outside his Melbourne home.

Mr Dann said he would describe to the court “a picture of a man who has been battling severe mental illness for many years”.

Mr Dann said Pusey’s life had been marked by tragedy with the death of his two brothers.

The court heard one of Pusey’s brothers had taken his own life just one month ago.

Pusey, who has been in custody since December, had been denied leave to attend his brother’s funeral, Mr Dann said.

Mr Dann said Pusey had been bullied in his childhood because of his name and left school at the beginning of year 10 due to behavioural issues.

The court heard Pusey had a series of jobs throughout his life - including tram driver, nurse, finance broker and property developer.

Mr Dann said of his short-lived nursing career: “Some aspects of nursing he was good at, some aspects he was a complete failure at”.

Pusey, on occasion, would faint at the sight of blood, Mr Dann said.

Earlier the court heard in the wake of the fatal Eastern Freeway crash, witnesses had implored Pusey to help the dying officers, saying “let’s help these guys”.

Richard Pusey leaves his house after being released on bail. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Pusey responded “they’re dead” before continuing to film the bodies of the officers.

County Court Judge Trevor Wraight remarked Pusey’s various vocations “all seem to end, because of an event … linked to his behaviours and personality disorder”.

“There seems to be this conflict he keeps having with people,” Judge Wraight said.

Pusey is “probably the most hated man in Australia”, Judge Wraight said.

His honour made the comment following almost two hours of plea submissions during which Mr Dann argued the enormous publicity of the case amounted to additional punishment for his client.

Judge Wraight said the coverage of the police tragedy resulted in some members of the public believing Pusey had killed the four officers himself.

Mr Dann said Pusey was in shock when he filmed the scene of the crash, including the bodies of the officers, and showed the footage to the receptionist and two pharmacists at his GP the following day.

After viewing the footage Judge Wraight said he believed Pusey’s disturbing comments were “mutterings to himself” rather than taunts to the officers.

“He is making a commentary for the video, not for others,” Judge Wraight said.

Judge Wraight said he accepted Pusey had been suffering a complex personality disorder for most of his life, which had on some occasions led him into criminal behaviour.

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