Two motorbike riders allegedly threatened to kill a Queensland policeman and his family shortly before a chase that led to an officer being charged with dangerous driving, a court has heard.
Key points:
- A Gold Coast police officer told the court he requested help after two men on a red moped repeatedly menaced him and his family
- One of his colleagues in the trail bike squad allegedly drove dangerously during the chase that ensued
- The court heard that officers had been directed not to use trail bikes in pursuits
Sergeant Peter Andrew Venz is facing trial in the Southport Magistrates Court over the alleged dangerous operation of a trail bike during the Gold Coast pursuit on June 9 last year.
He has pleaded not guilty and has been stood down from his duties.
In footage played to the court the pursuit could be seen taking place across several suburbs and involved the parties driving through a holiday park and crossing onto footpaths and the wrong side of the road.
Dog squad officer Senior Constable Nicholas Donald told the court two men drove past his home on the Gold Coast several times on a red moped during May and June 2020.
He said he had spoken to his friend Sergeant Venz, who worked with the trail bike squad, as well as other colleagues, after seeing the red moped regularly drive past his house.
'Anti-social behaviour'
Senior Constable Donald told the court the riders engaged in threatening and "antisocial behaviour" toward him and his family.
He said the pair "became more brazen" and went from revving in May to yelling out as they went past in June, 2020.
The court was read an email sent by Senior Constable Donald to the officer-in-charge at Broadbeach police station asking him to increase patrols of the area and noting that a marked police car that was often parked in his driveway may have been inciting the riders.
In early June, Senior Constable Donald said the riders and drove past shouted: "You're f***ing dead, you dog".
"I just wanted police presence in the area in case they come back," he told the court, saying he was worried for the safety his wife and baby, who were often alone when he worked at night.
The court heard the riders returned the next day on June 9, 2020 and yelled: "You are dead, you dog c***".
Senior Constable Donald said after the incident he called a shift supervisor and asked for trail bike squad officers to patrol the area.
He had told them the riders were also riding around a nearby park.
The court heard that Sergeant Venz arrived at the officer's home about 3.30pm that day.
Senior Constable Donald said about one hour later Sergeant Venz phoned him said he had encountered the moped, but the riders had evaded him.
Senior Constable Donald said he later sold his house after the "attention" he received due to having a police car parked on the premises.
Trail bike use questioned
Another police witness told the court trail bikes should not be used in "urgent duty driving or police pursuits", according to police policy.
Inspector Jason Tuffley said following a separate fatal pursuit on the Gold Coast, he sent an email to bike team officers, including Sergeant Venz, telling them no pursuits on trail bikes should occur.
The court heard Sergeant Venz told the senior officer in the email he agreed trail bikes should be "away from the action" and not involved in pursuits.
The court heard that in the same email, Sergeant Venz asked for the bikes to be fitted with lights and sirens, as in other areas in the state.
The court heard the police "could not afford" to put the lights and sirens on the bikes, but in any case they were not meant to be used for purposes that would need the function.
The summary trial continues.
Sergeant Venz is expected to give evidence at a later date.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMicWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIxLTEyLTA5L2dvbGQtY29hc3QtcG9saWNlLW9mZmljZXItcGxlYWRzLW5vdC1ndWlsdHktdG8tZGFuZ2Vyb3VzLWRyaXZpbmcvMTAwNjg2NjY00gEoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXAuYWJjLm5ldC5hdS9hcnRpY2xlLzEwMDY4NjY2NA?oc=5
2021-12-09 04:33:33Z
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