Latest news with #DanielCovington
ABC News
14-07-2025
- ABC News
NSW man refuses to appear in court after alleged high-speed chase in stolen Ford Mustang
A man accused of attacking a woman with an axe, stealing her Mustang sports car and running her over with it before leading police on a high-speed chase in the New South Wales has "refused" to leave his cell to face court. South Coast man Caleb Flentjar, 25, has been charged with multiple offences after allegedly leading police on a high-speed, 50-kilometre pursuit from Nowra to Kiama on Saturday. The 66-year-old owner of the car remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital. Today the Bail Division Court heard Mr Flentjar had "refused to see legal and refused to leave his cell" at Wollongong Police Station. His lawyer Cassie Lee told the court her client did not meet with her. "He refuses to see me and presumably anyone else," she said. Magistrate Daniel Covington confirmed the refusal with corrective services at Wollongong Police Station and then set July 22 as the next date for the accused to appear online at Nowra Local Court. "As for what has been relayed, he doesn't want to leave his cell or make an application … then I will note bail not applied for and bail refused," Magistrate Covington said. Mr Flentjar is charged with custody of knife in public place, two counts of use offensive weapon to prevent lawful apprehension and two counts of fail to stop at accident and render assistance. He has also been charged with drive whilst disqualified, pursuit, exceed speed over 45kph and goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen and larceny. Mr Flentjar is facing additional charges regarding three outstanding domestic violence-related offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV). The 25-year-old has been in custody since his release from hospital on Sunday following treatment for minor injuries. Police allege Mr Flentjar reached speeds of up to 180kph through 80kph zones as he wound his way up the M1 Princes Motorway on the wrong side of the road. It is alleged the chase came to an end when the Mustang crashed into a ute at Kiama Downs. Prior to that police had unsuccessfully attempted to halt the vehicle using tyre spikes. Police said members of the public stopped Mr Flentjar from fleeing on foot by "holding him down" until they arrived. The driver of the ute was taken to hospital.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Why a former MP accused of child sex offences breached bail - as he's released from custody
A former Liberal state MP accused of child sexual abuse has been released from police custody after his arrest for breaching bail. Rory Amon is awaiting trial after he pleaded not guilty to five charges of sexual intercourse with a person aged 10 to 14. The former NSW MP was required to report to the Day Street police station in Sydney 's CBD on Tuesday as part of his bail supervision conditions. But he was arrested about 10pm on Wednesday after attending the station one day late. The 35-year-old had simply 'forgotten' to attend, his barrister Dev Bhutani told Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday. Amon appeared on screen wearing handcuffs and a blue jumper from custody at Surry Hills police station. Prosecutors told the court they did not consider the breach serious, as Amon appeared the next day admitting fault and it was his first breach. His release was not opposed. Magistrate Daniel Covington ordered Amon to return to his previous bail conditions and be released from custody. 'Appearing the next day is not consistent with a person who is a flight risk,' the magistrate said. A stony-faced Amon walked out of the police station about 5.30pm on Wednesday, flanked by his brother and mother, as he was surrounded by waiting journalists. He refused to answer questions as to why he forgot to check in for bail. He will face a trial in February 2026 to contest accusations he abused a teenage boy before entering parliament. Amon is accused of masquerading as a 17-year-old after matching with a boy on a website in mid-2017. Prosecutors allege the boy, then 13, said he was 15 and later agreed to meet in person. Amon insisted on meeting in a private place and led the 13-year-old to a bathroom in a car park where the sexual assaults occurred on two separate occasions, prosecutors allege. At the time, Amon was a local councillor and later rose to win the safe Liberal seat of Pittwater on Sydney's northern beaches. The complainant, now aged in his 20s, alleges Amon continued to send him explicit images until he was charged in August 2024. Amon was elected to the NSW parliament in March 2023 and was the opposition spokesman on youth issues at the time of his arrest. He resigned soon after, with a subsequent by-election taking the seat out of Liberal hands for the first time in 50 years. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
