HIT-RUN ACCUSED TASTES FREEDOM
A MAN accused of being involved in a shocking hit-run three days before Christmas has been granted his first taste of freedom in six months.
Jamie Neskovski was bailed under strict conditions at the Supreme Court but Justice David Beach allowed the accused to keep his licence.
This was despite Mr Neskovski recently being hit with a culpable driving charge that carries a maximum prison term of 20 years.
The 28-year-old is accused of being the driver of a van that struck carpenter James Travers, 32, and left him for dead on Yarra St about 3am on December 22.
Mr Neskovski had been in custody since handing himself into police more than 12 hours later. He twice failed to get bail at the Geelong Magistrates’ Court after it was found he posed an “unacceptable risk” to the community if released.
The Supreme Court yesterday heard Mr Neskovski was served with three additional charges in early June.
He will now face a December committal hearing over charges of dangerous driving causing death, failing to immediately render assistance after a motor vehicle accident, failing to stop after a motor vehicle accident, careless driving and culpable driving causing death.
In applying for bail, Mr Neskovski’s defence lawyer, Geoffrey Steward, argued his client had a job, stable address and the right to the presumption of innocence.
He said his client had been in custody for more than six months and risked spending up to 18 months in custody for the start of a trial if bail was refused.
Mr Steward indicated his client would contest all charges and said he had told his father, John, he thought someone had “thrown a brick” through his car window.
“He went back to the scene looking for the mirror, became scared and left,” Mr Steward said.
Prosecutor Joanne Piggot urged Justice Beach to suspend Mr Neskovski’s licence and later asked that he be banned from driving other than for work or medical appointments.
She said it would be alleged that “fatigue may have been a contributing factor” to the alleged offending. She said banning him from driving for leisure would take him off the road at a time when he might “engage in other activities”.
But Justice Beach said such a specific bail condition would be difficult to enforce and ruled a curfew would keep the accused off the road overnight.
He said there was no “compelling reason” to refuse bail and granted it on several conditions, including that Mr Neskovski pay a $75,000 surety and abide by a 10pm to 6am curfew.
Outside court Mr Travers’ sister, Angela Marmont, said the successful bail application was difficult for her family.
“We won’t be sitting down to have dinner with James tonight, we’re reminded of that at every significant event or occasion that’s there always a missing presence,” Ms Marmont said.
She said the family was determined to ensure her “larrikin” brother’s legacy was not forgotten.
“We have to be his face, we have to be his presence and we have be proud of him.
“Of course (today is hard) because it’s not a celebration for us.”
Mr Neskovski must appear in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on December 12 for an expected two-day committal hearing.