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An 18-year-old provisional driver accused of injuring 10 people during a Newcastle Knights supporters’ procession has been served with eight additional charges, bringing the total to 17.
An 18-year-old driver accused of crashing into a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters in Newcastle, New South Wales, has been served with eight additional charges as the legal proceedings continue.
The incident occurred on October 3, when thousands of supporters gathered along the streets to farewell the Newcastle Knights ahead of their first National Rugby League grand final in 25 years. A car allegedly struck people gathered near Newcastle Link Road in Wallsend, in the city’s western suburbs.
Ten people were injured in the incident, and all were taken to hospital. Those affected included a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man, both of whom were reported to have been in critical condition at the time. A court later heard that some injuries were very serious and that a child had suffered a brain injury.
The accused, Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, was initially charged following the crash. The eight additional charges include dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and six counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct using a motor vehicle. The additional allegations bring the total number of charges against him to 17.
Court proceedings have also addressed the question of bail. Samarasinghe initially did not apply for bail at his first appearance, and bail was formally refused. His lawyer subsequently lodged a successful bail review application.
During the bail review, the defence argued that the accused had no history of violence and had sustained a suspected spinal injury in the incident. Prosecutors opposed his release, arguing that he posed an unacceptable risk to the community. The court also heard allegations that he had been driving erratically before the crash.
The accused was released after spending six nights in custody. Under his bail conditions, he must report to police daily between 8am and 6pm and is prohibited from entering Newcastle except to attend court. He is scheduled to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday.
The crash shocked supporters who had gathered to celebrate the team’s historic grand final appearance. The additional charges reflect the seriousness of the alleged driving conduct and the injuries reported by victims.
The allegations have not been proven in court. The accused is entitled to the presumption of innocence while the legal process continues.
NewcastleBailCourtAccusedAdditional
An 18-year-old driver accused of crashing into a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters in Newcastle, New South Wales, has been served with eight additional charges as the legal proceedings continue.
The incident occurred on October 3, when thousands of supporters gathered along the streets to farewell the Newcastle Knights ahead of their first National Rugby League grand final in 25 years. A car allegedly struck people gathered near Newcastle Link Road in Wallsend, in the city’s western suburbs.
Ten people were injured in the incident, and all were taken to hospital. Those affected included a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man, both of whom were reported to have been in critical condition at the time. A court later heard that some injuries were very serious and that a child had suffered a brain injury.
The accused, Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, was initially charged following the crash. The eight additional charges include dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and six counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct using a motor vehicle. The additional allegations bring the total number of charges against him to 17.
Court proceedings have also addressed the question of bail. Samarasinghe initially did not apply for bail at his first appearance, and bail was formally refused. His lawyer subsequently lodged a successful bail review application.
During the bail review, the defence argued that the accused had no history of violence and had sustained a suspected spinal injury in the incident. Prosecutors opposed his release, arguing that he posed an unacceptable risk to the community. The court also heard allegations that he had been driving erratically before the crash.
The accused was released after spending six nights in custody. Under his bail conditions, he must report to police daily between 8am and 6pm and is prohibited from entering Newcastle except to attend court. He is scheduled to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday.
The crash shocked supporters who had gathered to celebrate the team’s historic grand final appearance. The additional charges reflect the seriousness of the alleged driving conduct and the injuries reported by victims.
The allegations have not been proven in court. The accused is entitled to the presumption of innocence while the legal process continues.
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