A man charged with the attempted murder of a police officer in South Australia’s mid north had stopped taking medication for diagnosed schizophrenia, the Adelaide Magistrates Court has heard.
Police allege Victorian man Matthew James Dullard struck Orroroo Brevet Sergeant Mark Woods during a traffic stop on the Barrier Highway near Ucolta on Friday.
Brevet Sergeant Woods was taken to the Peterborough Hospital, and was airlifted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
Mr Dullard has been charged with attempted murder, acts to endanger life, dangerous driving to escape a police pursuit and leaving the scene of an accident.
The court heard the 43-year-old, who refused to appear via video link, had declined legal representation.
The prosecutor told the court that Mr Dullard has diagnosed schizophrenia and had not taken his medication since Thursday.
“He’s been somewhat difficult to deal with,” the police prosecutor Sergeant Lorne Matthews said.
“He has been off his medication since at least Thursday and we haven’t been able to provide him with any medication while he’s been in police custody.”
The court heard that prosecutors would oppose bail given the seriousness of the allegations, and for the welfare of the defendant.
The prosecution sought a 14 week adjournment and asked for Mr Dullard to be remanded in Adelaide in order to receive psychiatric care.
“It is my application that he does need to be remanded in custody and I think my friend’s idea of bail enquiry report would be a good idea to help us ascertain his actual mental health.
“I have heard from the custody officers that he was quite coherent when speaking to his relatives and partner, but has declined to engage with police so I think we do have some issues here regarding his compliance, not necessarily just mental health.”
Defence lawyer Kylie Pligl told the court she had explained to Mr Dullard over the phone that he would need to provide an address if he wanted to make an application for bail, but said he had “not engaged whatsoever”.
“He won’t speak to anyone,” Ms Pligl said.
“I can confirm he’s been given that opportunity to have legal advice.”
Mr Dullard was remanded in custody and will appear in the Port Augusta Magistrates Court in July.