A MAN accused of leading police on a high speed pursuit and driving up at the wrong of side of Sloane Street at a speed of approximately 170km/h has pleaded not guilty to five of the charges levelled at him.
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Dennis John Fisher, 24, was arrested and charged in November after allegedly driving a stolen vehicle at high speeds on the Hume and Federal Highways, and on the wrong side of the road in parts of Goulburn.
He’s remained in custody at jails in Bathurst, Goulburn and Sydney since his arrest.
On Wednesday he appeared at Goulburn Local Court via audio visual link.
His case was adjourned twice previously while he sought advice from Aboriginal Aid. Fisher’s solicitor, Michael Lawlor, on Wednesday informed Magistrate Mark Richardson that his client wished to enter a plea of not guilty to charges of not stopping, driving dangerously, recklessly, furiously, exceeding the speed limit, having never held a licence and receiving property stolen outside NSW.
He reserved his plea on another 12 speed and police pursuit related charges.
Mr Lawlor also entered a bail application on behalf of the accused.
He said Fisher would be prepared to stay with his mother in Junee, needed psychological support, yearned for the support of his people and wished to care for his partner, who’s 17-weeks’ pregnant. “He is a young Aboriginal man, his people are from Junee,” Mr Lawlor said.
“I concede there are some risks of him reoffending, but there are some quite unique circumstances.” Police prosecutor, Sergeant Chris Toole, argued that bail be refused on grounds of community safety and the likelihood Fisher would spend time in prison if convicted.
“We would have fears that he (Fisher) would firstly not appear before court if granted bail,” he said.
“On that basis, and the fact that he’s quite clearly looking at incarceration, we would ask that bail be refused.”
Magistrate Richardson agreed, ordering Fisher to remain in custody until his next appearance at Goulburn Local Court on February 27.
“There’s no doubt that if convicted he’ll face a lengthy stay in custody,” he said.
“There’s a very high risk he won’t attend court and there’s a high risk of re-offence. My view, as a matter of community protection, is that he should be bail refused.”