Monkey bike tragedy accused refused bail

An 18-year-old man charged over a hit-run mini motorbike crash that killed a Melbourne woman has been remanded in custody until January 19.

A teenager charged over a mini motorbike crash that killed a mother-of-two in a Melbourne shopping centre car park has been refused bail.

Caleb Jakobsson, 18, is accused of crashing his monkey bike into Andrea Lehane before fleeing the scene on September 23.

The 34-year-old nurse suffered irreversible brain damage in the hit-and-run crash and died in hospital last week after her life support was switched off.

Jakobsson on Tuesday applied for bail when he appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court charged with culpable driving, dangerous driving causing death, failing to stop and render assistance, and other driving offences.

His great aunt told the court on Wednesday that if released on bail, Jakobsson could live with her and she would ensure he was under constant supervision.

She said she would not hesitate to report him to police if he wasn't complying with bail conditions.

"I don't want him to hurt himself or anyone else," she said.

"He's got two options, prison or this."

Prosecutors opposed the application saying Jakobsson posed an unacceptable risk to the community.

Magistrate Franz Holzer agreed.

"I am not satisfied that the risk to the community can be adequately or safely ameliorated," Magistrate Holzer said.

Jakobsson was remanded into custody until January 19.

Relatives in court shouted messages of love and support as he was led from the dock.

Ms Lehane was walking across a marked pedestrian strip outside a Carrum Downs shopping centre on September 23 when she was hit by one of four bikes racing through the car park.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world