Lees fails bid for bail

Jacklyn Diann Lees appeared via video link in Moree Local Court yesterday morning as family members packed the court room to hear her bail application.

The 38-year-old is charged with contravening and AVO and dangerous driving occasioning the death of 44-year-old Wayne Hoyt.

Lees was allegedly behind the wheel of a vehicle which struck and dragged Mr Hoyt in Oak St on October 20. He died in hospital shortly after.

Police allege the incident was domesticrelated and yesterday the court was told Lees had a long-standing relationship with Mr Hoyt’s family.

Director of Public Prosecutions solicitor Meagan McIvor opposed bail and said Lees had been placed on two good behaviour bonds which she had allegedly breached.

“The Crown’s case is strong,” she told the court.

Ms McIvor said a report prepared by police claimed there were acceleration marks but no indication of break marks on the road and a victim had allegedly seen Lees arguing with Mr Hoyt over a period of time before the incident.

Ms McIvor said a witness is alleged to have heard Mr Hoyt say

“I’m sick of you trying to run me over, I’m going to the cops”.

But Lees’ solicitor Emma Carruthers said her client had “cooperated with police” and had strong community ties.

“I make a release application but I don’t make it lightly,” she told the court, adding Lees would agree not to contact the victim’s family or witnesses.

“It is an extremely difficult time for my client.”

Ms Carruthers said her client needed to be released on bail to build to prepare her case but Magistrate Michael O’Brien said there had been a history of non-compliance.

He said although Lees had a limited criminal history, her record shows drug and dishonesty offences and breaches of an AVO.

He said Lees was “an unacceptable risk” of committing further offences and endangering the safety of witnesses and the community, and formally refused bail.

She will reappear in court in December.