Chopper’s son Charlie Read in jail but in court over two indictable crimes

The son of infamous standover man Mark “Chopper” Read will soon appear in court over two charges through the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

Charlie Read, son of Chopper Read, at the Hobart Magistrates Court. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The son of infamous standover man Mark “Chopper” Read is about to face justice for two charges through the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

Charles Vincent Read, 24, is currently serving jail time after pleading guilty in the Hobart Magistrates Court to other charges.

However, two of his charges – dangerous driving and aggravated assault – remain outstanding as they are indictable offences and must be dealt with by the Supreme Court.

On Wednesday, Read – who is currently imprisoned until September this year – appeared in the court via video link before Acting Justice David Porter.

His lawyer Caroline Graves said Read had previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, but maintained a not guilty plea to the charge of aggravated assault.

The dangerous driving charge relates to an incident on February 15 last year in which a white Toyota Corolla was reported driving erratically at New Norfolk.

The car was eventually spiked on Boyer Road, Bridgewater, before police officers found it abandoned at the Pontville Cemetery.

She said a psychological report on Read was currently being prepared, and would be ready in April.

Acting Justice Porter remanded Read in custody, to reappear in court on May 7.

He also discharged Read on two new gun charges, with a ballistics report finding the item in question wasn’t a firearm, after a Crown prosecutor indicated they “won’t be filing an indictment”.

Last year, Ms Graves explained Read had regularly visited his father interstate until he died when Read was only 14.

She said his father’s death had a “traumatic effect on his life” and that Read started to use drugs from that time, including ice, cannabis and MDMA.

He was expelled from The Hutchins School in Grade 9 after suffering “bullying and notoriety there”, and that his strong personality had subsequently attracted various people who wanted to “attach to him” – including “the good, the bad and the ugly”.

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Originally published as Chopper’s son Charlie Read in jail but in court over two indictable crimes