Woman accused of burglary, police chase that ended with crash into stationary car

A woman accused of a violent burglary and a dangerous police chase that ended in a crash began crying in court when she was refused bail, telling her partner who was there to support her, “I’m so sorry”.

It is alleged that first up, 47-year-old Kimberly Wsol jemmied a flyscreen door open to enter a home in Chisholm at around 11 am on Saturday (13 May) where she was spotted by both of the residents of the house, court documents say.

She allegedly got into a physical altercation with one of the residents while carrying an armful of items from the home before she was chased from the property.

It is alleged that it did not take long for police to spot her driving a Mazda 121 hatchback on Isabella Drive, Chisholm, but she fled from them when they tried to pull her over so they gave chase.

During the chase, Wsol allegedly drove at oncoming traffic on the wrong side of Isabella and Drakeford Drives, causing other drivers to slow down or pull off the road to avoid a head-on collision. As a result of the risk to other drivers, police ended the pursuit.

However, just a few minutes later, Wsol allegedly crashed into the back of a VW Amarok as it waited at red lights on Drakeford Drive, which disabled her car and caused minor damage to the utility.

It is alleged Wsol, who is also known as Veronica De Sade, got out and ran towards Lake Tuggeranong. Police officers arrested her a short time later.

She was taken to a police watch house where officers claimed she could not answer questions coherently, had difficulty standing up, and was later seen taking off all her clothes.

Wsol applied for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution, in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday (15 May). She was supported in court by her partner.

Her lawyer, Legal Aid’s Ewan Small, said she was the main caregiver for her partner, who was quadriplegic, and provided him with 24-hour care.

He argued the main risk factor for her release was substance use but said this could be addressed by bail conditions.

Mr Small also said it was not immediately clear what substance she was alleged to have had in her system, but Magistrate Jane Campbell claimed a blood test couldn’t be performed due to her erratic behaviour.

The court heard Wsol, who is from Phillip, had already been on a one-year and three-month long suspended sentence for similar alleged offending, being driving-related offences and thefts.

Magistrate Campbell said the allegations were extremely serious, and the alleged driving had been dangerous.

She said she would have thought that Wsol’s suspended sentence would have deterred her from allegedly committing more offences.

She said she could not be satisfied conditions could ameliorate the risks if she was released into the community and bail was refused. The matter was adjourned to 5 June.

Wsol did not enter pleas to charges of burglary, drug driving, dangerous driving, failing to stop for a police vehicle, not giving particulars to another driver at the scene of a crash, damaging property and driving while disqualified.