Alleged hatchet-throwing driver of stolen car remanded in custody

Patrick McCurley, 35, has been remanded in custody after he was arrested in Lyneham. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

A man accused of throwing a hatchet at police before his companion jumped from a balcony during their arrests has been remanded in custody.

Patrick McCurley, who has the word ‘Mum’ tattooed onto the side of his neck, was brought into the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday (23 March) where he was formally charged over the allegations.

Police officers were patrolling Lyneham on Wednesday afternoon (22 March) when they spotted a Mitsubishi Outlander with checks indicating it was likely stolen, ACT Policing alleged.

Police said the Outlander ran a red light while they were following it, then it was spotted in several suburbs over the next few hours.

Officers learnt it was parked in Fernyhough Street in Lyneham around 10.30 pm and surrounded it to make sure it could not be driven away.

It is alleged McCurley had been seen driving the Outlander with a 35-year-old female passenger.

When officers entered the backyard of a Fernyhough Street home, McCurley was allegedly spotted trying to climb onto a balcony where the woman was standing.

He allegedly threw a hatchet at police while he was arrested, and officers had to use their taser.

McCurley was taken into custody at about 11 pm and the woman was arrested around 15 minutes after jumping from the balcony.

“A short time later, she was taken to hospital for treatment to minor injuries sustained in the fall,” police said.

When McCurley appeared in court the next day, he did not enter pleas to his charges of driving a motor vehicle without consent, possessing an offensive weapon, using a number plate that was not properly issued and unlawful possession of stolen property.

The Lyneham resident made no application for bail, and Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker remanded him in custody until 13 April.

The alleged passenger from Richardson will appear in court in April charged with riding in a motor vehicle without consent.