Motorbike rider arrested after Sydney Harbour Bridge crash allegedly hit cop: court

A motorbike rider arrested at a horror crash allegedly hit a cop while riding away, a court has been told.

Motorbike rider arrested after Harbour Bridge crash fronts court.

A motorcyclist arrested at the scene of a fatal multi-vehicle crash on Sydney Harbour Bridge allegedly hit a police officer while speeding away from officers, a court has been told.

Ali Al-Robay, 24, appeared before Downing Centre Local Court on Friday charged with 12 driving-related offences, including exceeding speed and three counts of failing to stop when directed.

The world-renowned bridge and busy thoroughfare was closed following the horror six-way crash on Thursday, with two men killed and paramedics rushing to treat a number of other injured motorists.

Police allege they were attempting to reopen lanes of the bridge when Al-Robay, riding a black Honda motorcycle, ignored repeat orders by officers to stop filtering through stopped traffic.

Sydney Harbour Bridge was closed following the crash. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

Two people were killed and others treated for injury. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

When he accelerated away, Mr Al-Robay was stopped by police managing the inner crime scene and while being placed under arrest allegedly assaulted both police and transport personnel.

Opposing Mr Al-Robay’s release on bail, the police prosecutor told the court the “issue is one of non-compliance” and that the rider had struck an officer after being told to stop his motorbike.

“He comes face to face with a NSW Police officer who stepped into the laneway he was proceeding through, (and) the appellant has sped up and struck the officer with his motorbike,” he alleged.

“We are extremely lucky there was no greater injury at that moment.”

The prosecutor said Mr Al-Robay had been approached prior to that by two transport management officers who he allegedly “bypassed”, and sped up to speeds as high as 70km in a 40km zone.

He went on to detail the 24-year-old’s criminal and traffic histories which included multiple sentences for driving when not allowed to do so, breaching P-plater restrictions, and a pursuit.

The prosecutor described Mr Al-Robay’s alleged offending as being of an “escalating nature” and said he was someone “who should not be driving or riding a bike, however he constantly does so”.

Mr Al-Robay’s lawyer George Thomas submitted the most recent offending was for speeding and suggested bail conditions including prohibitions on him riding and what amounted to a nighttime curfew.

He also told the court Mr Al-Robay had denied deliberating hitting the officer who his lawyer said “jumped out in front” of the bike, but admitted he “ought to have known that could occur”.

“It was an act of stupidity and I dare say it was not planned. He’s been confronted with a situation where he would not have know what was up ahead,” his lawyer told the court.

“Certainly there was signage to stop... but he (Mr Al-Robay) was not to know what was lying up ahead and if he made the error it was the error of not complying with that signage

The crash brought traffic to a standstill. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

“Then at someone point in time he has seen the carnage and undertaking the activity that referred to … He is a passerby who is not complying with directions.”

Mr Al-Robay’s lawyer said the 24-year-old had good prospects of rehabilitation being in his last year of studying civil engineering at University of Technology Sydney, and lived with his family.

The court was told it was possible fraud charges in relation to the number plate may be laid , but that ultimately if he was found guilty or plead guilty he would not receive fulltime custodial sentence.

In refusing bail, the magistrate said while police said he had shown “great remorse”, his traffic history was “concerning” and that his alleged actions “gave no confidence” he’d comply with bail.

Mr Al-Robay was taken to Day Street police station on Thursday where he was refused bail after being charged with offences including knowingly driving in a manner which menaces others.

He was also charged with driving while suspended, in an unregistered vehicle, uninsured, without tax being paid, while using an unauthorised number plate, and ignoring a no entry sign.

Originally published as Motorbike rider arrested after Sydney Harbour Bridge crash allegedly hit cop: court