Driver’s backers seeking fairness

FED-UP residents have supported a tradie in court who allegedly tried to stop a suspected stolen car in a carjacking rampage by ramming it.

Hermit Park man Bruce Raymond Hillery, 48, is alleged to have rammed a Mazda CX-5, filled with teenagers, at a Flinders St intersection in mid-February.

Mr Hillery was in his car with a family member when they pulled up behind the black Mazda CX-5. One of the teenagers allegedly started throwing bottles at his car and then got out holding a knife and attempted to carjack them.

When Mr Hillery saw the youth holding the knife, he allegedly rammed the car, and then followed it to Flinders St, allegedly colliding with the car again at the Stanley St intersection.

Charged with two counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle, Mr Hillery appeared for the first time in the Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday.

Outside court Mr Hillery’s barrister Rowan Pack, who along with solicitor Darren Robinson is representing him on a pro bono basis, said his client had experienced “difficulties” in his financial situation since the incident.

“This has been a very difficult time for his family. He is absolutely very appreciative of all the support he’s been given in the local community,” Mr Pack said.

“A brief of evidence has been sought this morning from the police prosecutions office. We’ll be back in court in three months or so to consider what the evidence is.”

Mr Pack said no pleas had yet been entered.

Railway Estate resident Julie Antaw sat in on Mr Hillery’s court appearance and said she, along with the rest of the city, was furious with the rate of youth crime.

“I don’t believe he should be charged, I believe it should be thrown out of court. These children are making all of the citizens of our town crazy,” she said.

“I’ve had enough of being scared, having to be locked up in my home … to be scared inside your home is ridiculous, and I’ll be getting myself some type of weapon. We’ve all had enough, it’s time now to take the town back.”

West End resident Stefanie Kwong said anger was spreading through the city and was demonstrated on popular crime alert social media pages.

“We’ve had enough, Townsville’s had enough,” she said. “Our hands are tied, we get charged, and they walk out … how is that fair?”

Mr Hillery’s next court date will be in June.