AustraliaABC News & HeadlinesMan who allegedly crashed into Newcastle Knights fans, injuring 10, refused bail
An 18-year-old Sydney man has been refused bail after allegedly driving into a crowd of Newcastle Knights fans, injuring 10 people including two young children.
The Sydney teenager who was allegedly behind the wheel of a car that crashed into and injured 10 Newcastle Knights fans has been refused bail.
Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, 18, was refused bail after allegedly driving into a crowd farewell the Newcastle Knights before their NRL grand final.
He faces charges including three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, which carries a maximum seven-year jail term.
A five-year-old girl and 67-year-old man remain in serious but stable condition, and the case returns to court on October 15.
The Sydney teenager who was allegedly behind the wheel of a car that crashed into and injured 10 Newcastle Knights fans has been refused bail.
Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, 18, has been charged with three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, three counts of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and three counts of cause bodily harm by misconduct.
He appeared in the Newcastle Bail Court today and did not apply for release, before bail was formally refused.
The court heard the most serious offence of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm carries a maximal jail term of seven years.
Thousands of people were lining the streets of Newcastle to farewell their grand final bound Knights on Saturday morning, before a car struck the crowd at a roundabout on Newcastle Link Road, Wallsend.
Mr Samarasinghe was arrested at the scene and shielded by police as members of the crowd allegedly turned on him and his passengers.
Police allege Mr Samarasinghe had been driving erratically in the lead-up to the crash.
Witnesses could be heard screaming in videos taken at the scene.
Four released from hospital
A five-year-old girl and 67-year-old man, who were critically injured in the crash, are now listed as being in serious but stable conditions in John Hunter Hospital.
Two other young girls, aged five and two, a 31-year-old woman and 48-year-old man remain stable in hospital.
Four others have been discharged.
Judge concerned about mental health
With his head bowed and wearing a red, white and yellow T-shirt, Mr Samarasinghe was told his case would be adjourned until later this month.
Mr Samarasinghe was handcuffed for his brief court appearance, and wore jeans, a T-shirt and joggers.
He looked around the cubicle where he sat as his matter was heard via audio visual link.
The 18-year-old's lawyer was on the audio visual link appearing from Sydney.
At the end of proceedings, the judge said the man's health needed attention.
"I endorse a warrant to say that medical attention is required for the young man with serious offences pending," the judge said.The judge said a medical team could review his general health and "no doubt that might involve a mental health assessment".
The case returns to court on October 15.
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