‘RAMS’ COP, GETS BAIL
Court hears of night of mayhem before arrest
A MECHANIC accused of ramming two police cars and causing another to roll during a Reedy Creek chase has been granted bail.
Benjamin Edward Christensen did not enter a plea when he appeared in Southport Magistrates Court yesterday to face multiple charges regarding a four-hour chase with police in the early hours of Saturday morning.
A MECHANIC accused of ramming two police cars and causing another to roll during a Reedy Creek chase has been granted bail.
Benjamin Edward Christensen did not enter a plea when he appeared in Southport Magistrates Court yesterday to face multiple charges in relation to a four-hour chase with police in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Christensen has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, failing to stop, drink driving and failing to provide a specimen of breath.
Magistrate Joan White granted bail.
“The circumstances of this offence are very, very serious,” she said.
“It’s just absolutely ridiculous what he is alleged to have done.”
Magistrate White imposed conditions on Christensen including that he must not drink alcohol and must report to police once a week and live in his Worongary home.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Doug Bettany said police first spotted the Nissan Patrol on Gemvale Rd about 2am on Saturday.
The court was told officers saw the rear axle hanging down and parts dragging along the bitumen, causing sparks.
Sgt Bettany said the driver initially refused to stop and did a U-turn before stopping in the middle of the road near Kings College.
“He suddenly reversed into a police vehicle causing moderate damage,” he said.
The court was told the Nissan Patrol took off and police followed it onto Old Coach Rd.
Sgt Bettany said officers saw a caucasian man driving the car and yelling at his partner, who was in the passenger seat. It is alleged the woman was yelling at him to pull over.
“The defendant said words to the effect of: ‘I can’t pull over I’m on parole,’ ” Sgt Bettany said.
The court was told Christensen is not on parole but is on probation.
About an hour later the vehicle was allegedly seen at a service station on Gemvale Rd, where it was refuelled. The car was driven off without paying.
Police followed the car onto Old Coach Rd, where officers damaged a car trying to take evasive action.
It is alleged the Nissan Patrol then went the wrong way down the road with no headlights and rammed a police car.
A fourth police car was damaged when it was forced to go over a mound of dirt and rolled, Sgt Bettany told the court.
The two officers in the car were taken to Gold Coast University Hospital and needed stitches for cuts to the face.
Christensen was allegedly found by police walking down the M1 at Reedy Creek about 6am on Saturday wearing a blue hoodie.
The court was told Christensen initially refused a breath test but later recorded a reading of 0.126 per cent.
It is alleged he also told police he was out looking for his car, which he said had been stolen.
Sgt Bettany said during the chase Christensen went through two red lights.
“The initial reason police were trying to follow him was because he was dragging something on the road,” he said.
“If (a) person has no regard whatsoever to police on the road, no regard for paying for fuel, what regard would (they) have for paying for bail undertaking.”
Defence lawyer Steven Cavanagh, of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service, said Christensen worked full-time as a mechanic in Beenleigh.
He said he was the sole provider for his partner and their one-year-old son.
Mr Cavanagh said it was “obvious” alcohol was involved.
The matter was adjourned to July 25.