2 weeks Ago By Liana Boss
A court has heard a north-west NSW town is facing a "difficult" situation in the wake of three teens' alleged involvement in a police pursuit in a stolen car and fatal hit-and-run. The three boys are facing a string of charges. Police will allege the three boys were involved in a break-in at a home in Moree and the theft of a utility in the early hours of January 28.
They will allege the vehicle was involved in multiple pursuits between Moree and the Gunnedah area. Police allege the stolen utility fatally struck a motorcyclist, a man in his 50s, on the outskirts of Gunnedah. The utility allegedly continued through the town of Gunnedah before veering off the road near Carroll.
A Narrabri man died at the scene of a collision between his motorbike and the alleged stolen ute. The alleged driver is facing 15 charges, including aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death while escaping police pursuit, driving more than 45 kilometres per hour over the speed limit, and failing to stop and assist after a crash. The two other boys are each facing five offences, including aggravated break and enter.
Support worker offers close assistance In Moree Local Court on Thursday, as one of the alleged passengers sought to have his bail conditions changed, a community support worker said he was prepared to support the boy's family to help him comply with strict bail conditions. The 14-year-old boy was granted strict conditional bail in recent weeks while his two co-accused remained in custody. "I have quite lengthy knowledge of this family and in particular this incident," the support worker said.
"Myself and my service are willing to support the family in any way we can." The support worker told the court the teen's mother "really cares about her children" and goes to great lengths to try to keep them out of trouble. "I know it is a difficult issue not only for [the family] but for our entire community," the support worker said.
"[She] is a very caring mother. She wants to see her children home with her and not committing crimes. The court heard the teen was under house arrest conditions, only able to leave home for select reasons and in the company of approved people.
Magistrate Paul Hayes granted a defence proposal to approve another relative to accompany the boy outside the home. DPP prosecutor Jesse Buckner opposed the change, citing concerns raised in a previous report before the court. Crash evidence outstanding Police will allege the utility was being pursued when it was involved in a crash which killed a motorcyclist.
Ms Buckner told the court part of the brief of evidence had been served, specifically material relating to the "earlier portion of conduct". "Material that relates to the crash investigation officers ..
. is yet to be served," Ms Buckner said. "Both of the officers currently working on [the crash investigation] are currently on leave.
" Defence solicitor Wendy McAuliffe told the court she had not received any of the brief. The prosecutor assured her this would happen promptly. "If that material hasn't been served .
.. I can ensure that happens today," Ms Buckner said.
The court heard the brief of evidence was served to the same extent in the cases against the two other accused. They both appeared before the court via video link from custody and made no application for bail on Thursday. No formal pleas have been lodged in relation to the February 28 incidents.
All three matters will return to court in May..
