A legally blind man who allegedly rode a motorbike into a crash scene, causing a helicopter to abort an emergency landing, has asked the court for a sentence indication.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Darren Chatfield, 37, appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court via video-link on Tuesday charged with theft of a motor vehicle, possessing methamphetamine, possessing proceeds of crime, failing to obey a police direction, unlicensed riding and displaying false number plates.
The charges relate to three separate incidents dating back to February 8.
The court heard Mr Chatfield, who has never held a driver's licence because he is legally blind, was intercepted that day driving a green Mazda sedan west on Lava Street at 11am. He tested positive to methamphetamine.
Then between April 15 and 16, a Holden Commodore sedan was stolen from the carport of a property in Warrnambool's Moore Street. The residence was vacant as the occupant had recently passed away, the court heard.
On April 21, Mr Chatfield was allegedly observed driving the stolen vehicle and parking it outside a witness' address in Suzanne Crescent at 4.15pm.
He was allegedly observed wiping down the steering wheel and other parts of the car in an attempt to remove finger prints.
The witness reported the incident to police, who arrested Mr Chatfield 10 minutes later.
A pat down search uncovered a key to the stolen Commodore and $2272 cash believed to be proceeds of crime.
Mr Chatfield was arrested, interviewed, charged and released on bail.
Then on May 29, he allegedly drove a stolen motorbike through an emergency scene about 11am.
The court heard multiple police vehicles were dispatched to a person trapped in a motor vehicle on Wangoom Road.
Police members were blocking all traffic from entering the collision scene.
Mr Chatifeld allegedly failed to obey the direction and drove directly into the emergency scene, causing the HEMS 4 air ambulance helicopter to abort its landing.
A police prosecutor told the court Mr Chatfield had "extremely low vision"
"It was extremely dangerous to be driving."
Mr Chatfield was arrested and found in possession of small .08 grams of ice and .92 grams of cannabis.
During a contest mention hearing, Mr Chatfield's lawyer said his client intended to plead guilty to the majority of charges but denied the $2272 cash was proceeds of crime.
Magistrate Mark Stratmann heard a summary of the alleged offending and will provide a sentence indication next week.
Chatfield is on remand and will appear in court again on that day.
He has spent 54 days in custody.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.