Jeffrey Albert Lang Cranston bail denied after alleged CapRescue ramming

Police argued a man who allegedly rammed the RACQ CapRescue hangar building intentionally should not be given bail because of his “irrational, unpredictable” behaviour. See the incredible video

A man accused of intentionally ramming a medical rescue service building allegedly claimed King Putin and Russia were invading Australia.

Jeffrey Albert Lang Cranston, 42, was charged after his Triton Ute allegedly rammed the RACQ CapRescue hangar building on Canoona Road, Pink Lily, near the Rockhampton airport on Monday, October 2.

He faces one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, wilful damage, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, fail to comply with duties of a driver involved in a crash and obstruct police.

Mr Cranston made a bail application in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Police prosecutor Clancy Fox said it was alleged that Mr Cranston “intentionally rammed the building”.

He said it was also alleged that after the crash, Mr Cranston exited the vehicle, approached a window looking into the hangar, stood up on a desk and “pressed his body up against the glass”.

“He was disturbed by the victim who saw the crash,” Mr Fox said.

“But because of how he was behaving, she was frightened and ran away.

“He (allegedly) chased after her. rambling about the helicopters and saying things like, ‘King Putin is invading us’ … and ‘the Russians are invading’.”

The scene of a crash after allegedly driving into the office of the RACQ CapRescue hangar near Rockhampton Airport.

He said Mr Cranston allegedly repeated such to police.

Mr Fox said the police objection to bail affidavit outlined Mr Cranston’s father’s concerns that the defendant’s mental health “is drastically and rapidly deteriorating”, he “shows complete disregard for his own safety and wellbeing”, and “he acts out his ideologies”.

During the bail application proceedings, Mr Cranston described Mr Fox as a “sovereign citizen” and referred to himself as an “original”.

Defence lawyer Ashley Reynolds said it appeared police laid the dangerous operation charge before tests for intoxicating substances allegedly consumed by Mr Cranston were complete and Mr Cranston denied being intoxicated by any substances.

Ms Reynolds said it appeared police charged him with the aggravating factor of intoxication based on Mr Cranston’s behaviour.

She said Mr Cranston intended to contest all the charges and represent himself in the future.

A man allegedly tried to flee the scene of a crash after allegedly driving into the office of the RACQ CapRescue hangar near Rockhampton Airport.

Ms Reynolds said Mr Cranston claims he tried to ask a female worker in the building what was happening to the helicopters and she had approached him to check on him, but then ran away.

She said her client claimed he was not trying to get into the female employee’s vehicle as she drove off, as alleged by police.

Mr Fox said Mr Cranston’s “irrational, unpredictable” behaviour posed a risk to the community.

Acting Magistrate Paul Byrne refused to grant Mr Cranston bail.

Briefs of evidence were ordered for all charges, and his charges were adjourned to November 22, 2023.

Originally published as Jeffrey Albert Lang Cranston bail denied after alleged CapRescue ramming