Hurley ‘ignored stop call’

Ex-cop facing dangerous driving claim over chase

FORMER cop Chris Hurley initially told police to stop the pursuit of a Bonnie-and-Clyde crime duo that landed him in court, a witness has revealed.

A police communications officer yesterday told the Southport Magistrates Court Hurley ordered the chase of two fugitives in a four-wheeldrive to be abandoned.

Hurley, the Southern District Duty Officer (DDO) at the time of the incident, was not involved in the chase, but later joined after a call from communications officer Senior Constable Heidi Kearns.

“Abandon, abandon, abandon from the DDO,” Ms Kearns relayed to crews, the court was told.

However, the pursuit continued and road spikes were deployed. Hurley’s car allegedly performing a pursuit intervention technique, which caused the 4WD to turn sideways and stop.

Former Senior Sergeant Hurley is contesting two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle relating to his alleged behaviour during a high-speed chase on May 17, 2015 at Pacific Pines. His trial is expected to run for three days.

The court heard Ms Kearns initially phoned Hurley “so she could establish what was happening” because the crews on the road were not communicating.

However, the prosecution alleged Hurley was later ordered to stop pursuing the 4WD but ignored the direction.

He is accused of colliding with the 4WD despite a second radio message from a DDO telling police to “drop back”, the court heard.

The court heard five police cars were involved in the pursuit. While police didn’t know it at the time, the 4WD contained Sarah Boyd and Joel Gillard who had bashed and robbed a taxi driver with a tomahawk and held up a service station.

They later pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court to the crime spree that saw them drive the wrong way up several major Coast roads including the Smith St Motorway.

Barry Wellington, who was in the car with Hurley at the time of the pursuit, has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm.

He was committed to stand trial in the Southport District Court in April.

Hurley medically retired this year.

The hearing continues today.