A WOMAN charged with running down a man in an Armidale street has been granted bail despite going on the run for two months and fleeing to another state.
Sherree French was intercepted by police last week after an arrest warrant was issued in April when she failed to show up to court on three occasions.
The 21-year-old appeared in custody in Armidale Local Court this week and is yet to enter pleas to the charges of driving dangerously occasioning grievous bodily harm and reckless GBH, after she allegedly struck a 21-year-old man in Armidale in February.
French lodged a fresh bid for release but Director of Public Prosecutions solicitor Luke Boenisch opposed the application, telling the court French was a flight risk.
“She has, by her own admissions, absconded to South Australia only returning to NSW to visit family and to pick up belongings,” Mr Boenisch said.
“Facts on record state she intended to relocate to South Australia.”
But solicitor Joel Eng said his client only travelled interstate to visit her sister.
“She has no intention to return to South Australia,” he said.
Mr Eng said the woman could live with family in Invergowrie, and said daily reporting to police and a curfew could mitigate the unacceptable risks.
“Her father is able to take her to the police station,” he said.
French is accused of being behind the wheel of a Ford Falcon that crossed to the wrong side of the road and struck a man in Parry Parade, Armidale, about 12.30am on February 27.
The 22-year-old man suffered a broken leg and was transported to hospital for treatment.
“This is a terrible set of facts,” Magistrate Michael Holmes said.
“She’s got a clean record, she’s never been in trouble before, but these facts are very serious.
“I propose to grant bail, very strict bail.”
Mr Holmes said he had taken into account French's “family needs” and ordered her to report to police daily, not to contact any witnesses and not to leave her parents' house between 6pm and 6am.
She has also been banned from travelling interstate and from entering international departure points.
French was ordered to post $500 surety while her family will also have to forfeit $1000 if she fails to comply with her bail conditions.
The case will return to court later this month.
