Vic: Motorcyclist kicked at woman he'd just run down: court told

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2009
Vic: Motorcyclist kicked at woman he'd just run down: court told

MELBOURNE, April 29 AAP - A motorcyclist ran into an elderly pedestrian and then tried
to kick her away from his bike as she clung to it while he was attempting to flee, a court
has been told.

Joan Stafford, 69, was critically injured when the bike hit her as she crossed Plenty
Road in Preston, in Melbourne's north, about noon on Easter Sunday.

Mark Maccar, 24, of Mill Park, was on his way back from church when witnesses saw him
hit Ms Stafford, the Melbourne Magistrates Court has been told.

Senior Constable James Mitchell said witnesses saw Maccar strike an object and repeatedly
kick at it with his left foot.

They later realised the object was an elderly woman who was caught across the front
of the bike where she had hung on for five to 10 metres, he said.

Sen Const Mitchell said the woman landed head-first on the road and suffered head injuries
and a broken leg.

He said Maccar fled on his bike.

Before the incident, witnesses had reported Maccar was doing "wheelies" and travelling
up to 85km/h in a 60km/h speed zone, he said.

Maccar later allegedly confided to his motorcyclist friend riding alongside him that
he had hit someone and said he should not tell anyone.

Sen Const Mitchell said Maccar's thoughts were only of his escape and he had taken
steps to alter his bike and hide parts that had broken off it.

Maccar is charged with failing to stop at an accident and failing to render assistance,
negligently causing serious injury and dangerous driving causing serious injury.

Police are opposing his bail application, saying he poses an unacceptable risk of offending
and interfering with witnesses.

Ms Stafford remains in a semi-conscious state in the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

The bail application continues.

AAP mi/mh/tnf/mn

KEYWORD: MACCAR

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