An unlicensed driver who allegedly swapped seats while in a moving vehicle has been denied bail after his arrest on Friday.
Jamie Damien Millard, 40, of Nicholls, appeared before the ACT Magistrate's Court via audio visual link. He faced charges of driving without a licence, failing to stop for police, drug driving and breach of bail conditions.
Police allege that on Friday at about 3.35pm, officers in an unmarked vehicle in Nicholls saw Millard enter the driver's seat side of an Isuzu light truck and drive off. A female entered the passenger side.
They followed the vehicle into Gungahlin, stopped adjacent to the truck at a set of traffic lights on The Valley Avenue, and indicated for him to pull over.
Millard allegedly swore, smacked his hand into his forehead and nodded in response.
However, when the light turned green, police allege he accelerated heavily, drove over the median strip on Gungahlin Drive, before swerving several times onto Kosciuszko Avenue.
The vehicle was allegedly swerving side to side on the road and hit a gutter on the left lane.
While the vehicle was moving, the officers observed the driver and his female passenger swapping their positions in the truck.
After another 500 metres the vehicle stopped and the officers saw Millard exit from the passenger's seat.
According to police facts he appeared "flustered and agitated" and told police he "wasn't even driving".
An oral fluid sample came back positive to methamphetamine and cannabis.
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Police prosecutors opposed Millard's application for bail. Prosecutor David Leggett argued there was a "significant likelihood" Millard would reoffend.
He said Millard now had "four matters on foot" which included similar offences and family violence.
Defence lawyer Sally Boxall argued the "last few years have been particularly difficult" for her client.
She said in May, 2020 Millard's partner, who was 20-weeks pregnant, died after a car crash. His partner's life support was turned off.
In addition, Ms Boxall said Millard had suffered a shoulder injury in February, 2020 which had impacted his residential earthmoving business.
Despite the additional offences before the court, Ms Boxall said Millard was "willing to comply with any bail conditions... particularly in relation to driving".
She argued he was willing to put up a cash surety of $1000.
"[It] shows he's a person who is dedicated and accepts responsibility." Ms Boxall said.
Magistrate James Lawton denied Millard's application for bail. He argued Millard had a "significant history" of driving offences including drug driving. He had also breached bail conditions in the past.
"I'm satisfied there is a likelihood that he would commit further offences if released on bail," the magistrate said.
The case will return on January 12.
