Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Policewoman dragged along ground as suspect drives off

A POLICE officer was seriously injured when she was dragged along the ground by a fleeing car, Brisbane District Court has heard.

She had been trying to take the ignition keys from the car as it accelerated away from a suspected crime scene.

Senior Constable Hannah Elizabeth Boyd told the court she and her partner drove into the car park at the Sunnybank Leagues Club, in Brisbane's south, on July 9, 2006 where she saw a parked car.

She said the defendant, Adele Susan Fraser, 30, was at the wheel and a nearby man ran off.

Sen-Constable Boyd said while her partner gave chase she approached the car, identified herself and said "Get out of the car"."But she (the driver) just went, 'Nah'," Sen-Constable Boyd said.

The driver reached towards the car keys and at the same time she (Boyd) also went to take them out of the ignition.

The car accelerated away but Sen-Constable Boyd's arm was still stuck inside. She said she was dragged on the ground before being flung out of the car, injuring her arm.

In her evidence Fraser admitted she and her then-boyfriend had taken amphetamines.

Fraser said Sen-Constable Boyd had her back to her and the car engine was running. She had started to sneak away in a slow U-turn but Sen-Constable Boyd tried to grab the ignition keys and tripped as the car rolled away.

Judge Michael Shanahan found while he had some concerns with the evidence of both witnesses he accepted Sen-Constable Boyd's account.

He sentenced Fraser, who pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, to 15 months' jail with immediate parole and ordered she pay $2000 in compensation.

She was disqualified from driving for three years.


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