‘Morally repugnant’

Magistrate slams crash driver’s alleged actions as bail denied

SOME of the charges against a Porsche driver accused of filming and taunting a dying police officer might not stick, a magistrate says, despite denying him bail.

Richard Pusey will remain behind bars over the April crash, when a truck hit and killed four officers testing the mortgage broker for drugs and impounding his car on Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway.

The 41-year-old is accused of recording the scene on his mobile instead of helping a dying Senior Constable Lynette Taylor as she groaned for help.

Magistrate Jo Metcalf labelled the allegations “highly intrusive and morally repugnant” in denying Pusey bail.

She told Melbourne Magistrates Court the accused posed an unacceptable risk of committing offences and endangering public safety if released.

He had been prescribed antipsychotic medication and Ritalin, and likely had ADHD and an anti-social narcissistic personality disorder, according to a psychological report.

Pusey also struggled with narcissistic rage, a daily fear of being arrested and at times fantasised about killing people, the report said.

Pusey faces 12 offences including driving at a dangerous speed, reckless conduct endangering life, destruction of evidence, perverting the course of justice, and failing to remain at the scene after a drug test or render assistance. But Ms Metcalf hinted some of the more serious charges might not stick. “This is a significant delay in the circumstances (due to COVID-19) , particularly when there is a prospect Mr Pusey could be acquitted of more serious charges,” she said.

Prosecutors said Pusey had been a trained nurse but instead chose to film the scene for more than three minutes, making derogatory remarks, before leaving and sharing footage. Pusey was accused of walking up to Sen Const Taylor and saying, “there you go. Amazing, absolutely amazing”.