A man with an “extraordinary” criminal history who allegedly rammed a police car during a pursuit was threatened with a contempt charge after an expletive-riddled court outburst on Wednesday.
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Lee Robert Bennett faced the ACT Magistrates Court on eight charges but was denied bail due to fears over “somewhat of an extraordinary criminal history”.
Bennett is also being investigated over a spate of property crimes, including burglary, car theft and property damage and thefts involving 12 cars in a Bonython car park.
He was seen by police on Tuesday night parked in a bicycle lane on Adelaide Avenue in Deakin, with his hazard lights on.
Police say they pulled up behind him but he drove away slowly with his indicator on.
The court heard the car was pursued, travelling the wrong way around a roundabout before being cornered in a cul-de-sac.
Bennett is then alleged to have put the car into reverse, revved the engine and rammed a police car.
He then fled through the front yards of homes but crashed into a courtyard in one of the gardens.
On Wednesday Bennett became angry shortly after Magistrate Peter Morrison said he would not be released on bail.
Bennett, who recently moved to the ACT, lamented that he could not “get a fresh start in a new city” and that “these c---s keep hassling me”, referring to the police.
Bennett got up to leave the room and Mr Morrison told him he would not leave until the courts were finished with him.
Bennett replied: “You wanna bet?” He then called prosecutors and police “dogs”.
He threatened a detective who had given evidence, telling him he knew his face and would “see you soon”.
The 32-year-old later told a guard not to “f---ing touch me” or he would “put you down”. Bennett will appear in court again later this month.