Man denied bail in parking rage case

A PALLARENDA man so enraged over a parking ticket he allegedly drove into police and punched an officer in the face has been refused bail.

Liam John Patrick Carroll, 45, faced Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday on a string of offences allegedly committed at the weekend.

Police spoke to Carroll about 7.15am on Saturday after noticing he had parked his car outside his home in a manner that contravened traffic management for the Townsville Triathlon Festival.

When Carroll allegedly refused to move his vehicle, police issued an infringement notice. Police allege Carroll got into his car, drove it at police, crashed into a police trail bike and punched an officer.

Defence solicitor Lisa McNamara made an application for bail, saying concerns about Carroll’s parking had “escalated out of control”.

“He has his own version, instructions that have been provided to me, he certainly concedes he was angry at the time of receiving the tickets,” Ms McNamara told the court.

“He instructs he did not run over the police trail bike but merely clipped it.

“It’s alleged that my client tried to drive at a police officer – that’s denied.”

Ms McNamara said Carroll had no criminal history.

“So there’s no indication of a propensity towards violence or a propensity for any disregard for authority,” she said.

Prosecutor Bimal Raut tendered an objection to bail.

Magistrate Howard Osborne said “very serious conduct” had been alleged.

“He tried to run over a police officer, he ( has) accelerated and deliberately driven over a trail bike, over the top of it,” he said.

“He’s got out of the car, both fists swinging madly, using both fists attempted to punch two police officers, deliberately hit an officer in the mouth.”

Mr Osborne refused bail, saying Carroll was an unacceptable risk of reoffending.

“Despite his lack of history, given that bizarre behaviour, what caused that bizarre behaviour?” he said.

“That’s the single thing that plays on my mind as being a potential for future serious conduct and bizarre conduct.”

The matter was adjourned to September 11.