British backpacker, 25, 'who killed father-of-two by crashing into him on an e-scooter after drinking' appears in court in Australia
Alicia Kemp, 25, from Redditch in Worcestershire, allegedly struck 51-year-old engineer Thanh Phan while riding a hired e-scooter through Perth 's city centre on the night of May 31.
Mr Phan suffered a brain bleed and died in a hospital two days later.
Police allege Kemp had been drinking from 2.30pm that afternoon with a friend and was kicked out of a bar for being too drunk.
Later that evening, she hired an e-scooter around 8.30pm. According to officers, she was the main rider while her friend was illegally riding as a passenger.
Kemp has been charged with dangerous driving causing death under the influence of alcohol and dangerous driving causing bodily harm under the influence of alcohol.
According to prosecutors, she was driving in an 'inexplicably dangerous' manner, caught on CCTV.
She has not yet entered a plea. The 25-year-old appeared via video link at Perth Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, after being refused bail at a hearing in June.
The psychology graduate will remain in custody until her case returns to court on August 11 for legal argument.
Under Western Australian law, the charge of dangerous driving causing death carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The tragedy prompted a response from city officials, who suspended the public e-scooter hire scheme.
Meanwhile, the head of trauma services at Royal Perth Hospital revealed a disturbing rise in e-scooter injuries, many linked to alcohol.
Mr Phan's grieving family and friends are now demanding a permanent ban.
Lee Carroll, a close friend of the Phan family, told ABC News: 'E-scooters for hire are motorised vehicles that require no licence to operate and are often stationed outside bars and clubs, inviting use by people who may be intoxicated.
'We call on the City of Perth and the minister for transport to take decisive action.'
The fatal crash has reignited debate over whether the convenience of shared e-scooters is worth the risk.
Under current Western Australian regulations, riders must be over 16, wear a helmet, remain sober and ride solo.
But critics say these rules are regularly flouted, especially in nightlife hotspots.
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