CRYING uncontrollably the woman who allegedly ran down her partner in a fit of rage and damaged a nearby house stood in court unrepresented as she faced charges of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and maliciously damaging property to the value of more than $15,000.
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Heather Russell, 28, sat quietly crying in Orange Local Court yesterday as other cases were heard by relieving magistrate Darryl Pearce.
However when her case was called up and Ms Russell stepped to the microphone unrepresented by a solicitor, she became distressed holding her stomach and unable to hold back a flood of tears.
“Are you alright,” Mr Pearce asked the defendant and she nodded as he continued to explain to her how the police case against her would proceed.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Andy Bobin told the court the Department of Public Prosecutions will be involved in the case and there is a potential for more charges to be laid against the woman.
She will reappear in Orange Local Court next month and was granted continuing bail, however on Friday night following the alleged offence she remained in police custody, being granted bail on Saturday morning at a special court hearing.
Police allege that around 4.45pm on Friday afternoon the defendant and her 31-year-old de facto husband began arguing while driving in Breen Street and the man jumped from the vehicle before it was driven into the front of a house.
Police further allege as the man tried to walk along Wentworth Lane he was run down by the accused.
The victim remains in hospital being treated for a compound fracture of the lower leg, and a fractured shoulder and wrist and he faces a long period of treatment.
Paramedics also transported Ms Russell to Orange hospital after she became hysterical at the scene.
