One year wait: DNA holdup in case against boyfriend Bradley Phillip Cutts accused of fatal crash

An Ipswich man charged over a horror crash that resulted in the death of his girlfriend could be spending a long time in custody waiting for DNA and blood testing, a court has heard.

DNA and blood testing are expected to delay the court case of a man alleged to have killed his girlfriend in a horror crash earlier this month.

It is alleged Raceview man Bradley Phillip Cutts, 45, drove under the influence of alcohol on September 6, 2022, along Cascade Street, Raceview, and crashed into a power pole.

His partner of six years, a 41-year-old Ipswich mum, died at the scene while Cutts was taken to hospital.

Cutts was charged with one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death whilst adversely affected by an intoxicating substance.

He was denied bail on September 7 and remanded in custody, after the court heard he had a history of alcoholism and driving dangerously.

Bradley Phillip Cutts, 45, has been charged with the death of his long-term partner Elizabeth Francis, 41. Picture: Facebook / Elizabeth Francis

On Wednesday, September 28, Cutts appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court via video-link for committal.

He was represented by duty lawyer Alexis Oxley, who said Cutt’s legal aid application had not been processed yet.

Crown prosecutor Matthew Hendry said there could be some delays in preparing a brief of evidence, as it was a “very complicated matter,” with two crime scenes and significant amounts of testing to be done.

He said a pathologist’s report was being prepared that could take up to a year, and that Queensland Scientific Services was experiencing large delays for processing DNA evidence.

Magistrate Grace Kahlert said she was conscious that Cutts was in custody and asked that a partial brief of evidence be provided by November 2 so that the matter could progress.

The matter was adjourned to October 19 for mention in the Ipswich Magistrates Court.

Originally published as One year wait: DNA holdup in case against boyfriend Bradley Phillip Cutts accused of fatal crash