A NSW man who allegedly rammed a woman’s car at 100km/h in Murchison North on January 12 has faced court charged with attempted murder.
The 31-year-old did not apply for bail when he appeared at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, January 16.
He is facing 22 charges, including attempted murder, attempted kidnapping, stalking, recklessly causing injury, assault and contravening bail.
Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Nathan Berryman told the court police allege the man collided with the passenger side of the victim’s car at 100km/h on Toolamba Rd, causing it to spin 180 degrees and crash into trees.
According to court documents, the man allegedly removed the victim from the car, “proceeding to physically assault and strangle” her.
Det Sen Constable Berryman told the court three people in another car saw hazard lights from the collision and the victim sought refuge with them, before the man allegedly rammed their car head-on.
He said the three people then performed a citizen’s arrest of the man.
In court, the police sought an order for a compulsory forensic procedure to take photos of injuries sustained by the man during the collisions, to substantiate he was the driver in the first crash — where there were no independent witnesses.
Solicitor Ashlee Larsen opposed the application and said she failed to see how it was justified given her client had been arrested at the scene.
Ms Larsen asked Det Sen Constable Berryman whether the car was registered to her client and he revealed it was listed to a Queensland airport and while inquiries were ongoing, it was thought to be a hire car.
Magistrate David Faram granted the application and said there were reasonable grounds to conduct the procedure.
Police also successfully sought more time to deliver the hand-up brief to the defence, citing a significant delay in examining the three vehicles involved — including sending one to NSW to have the contents of its computer downloaded.
Mr Faram ordered the hand-up brief of evidence be served by March 28.
Ms Larsen said she had been instructed her client had a history of mental health and had been diagnosed with autism and Asperger’s.
He was remanded in custody until his next court date in May.