The woman accused of ramming an ACT Corrective Services car in Canberra's inner south to free a sentenced prisoner inside wanted to start a new life with him and her children, a court has heard.
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Lila Rose Mary Walto is facing a raft of charges - including rescuing and harbouring a prisoner - after allegedly ramming the government car in July to free prisoner Kane Quinn, who was being driven to Canberra Hospital for a medical appointment after he told them he swallowed a battery.
Mr Quinn, also known as Kane McDowall, and Ms Walto, accused of driving the Jeep, then went on the run.
The pair, both 28 at the time, were arrested at a Lyneham house within hours.
Ms Walto appeared via video link in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday when prosecutor Margaret Smith said the defendant told police in an interview she wanted to start a new life with Mr Quinn and her children after the alleged ram raid.
Prosecution documents tendered to the court state on July 9, she allegedly stole the Jeep from a Fyshwick dealership during a second test drive.
Also on the same day, Mr Quinn, listed as her fiancé in the documents, told AMC Corrections staff he did not feel well after swallowing a battery.
Staff had intelligence that Mr Quinn was allegedly going to collect illicit drugs left near a Wiggles poster or picture at the hospital for him.
Hospital staff found a package believed to contain the illicit drugs and when told by AMC staff, Mr Quinn and became abusive to them, demanding he be taken to hospital.
Three staff took him in the Camry from the AMC towards Canberra Hospital.
Ms Walto was allegedly driving the Jeep and hit the Camry numerous times before the sedan, spinning it, before it came to a stop near Manuka district shopping centre.
An officer opened the back door of the Camry to allow the other officers and Mr Quinn to get out.
The latter then allegedly ran away and yelled "Let me f-----g go" when an officer tried to handcuff him before he jumped into the Jeep.
Just prior to their arrests at a Lyneham house, police were negotiating with the occupants with a man, believed to have been Mr Quinn, yelling: "I am not coming out until I have smoked all my drugs".
When Mr Quinn finally came out, he was seen still wearing handcuffs with a lock pick still jammed in the lock.
In court, Ms Smith opposed bail on the grounds of the likelihoods Ms Walto would not appear in court, being charged with further offences, interfering with evidence and witnesses or otherwise obstructing the course of justice.
She said the person proposed to be supervising and offering her employment was not an appropriate person Ms Walto should live with because he has a daughter who was a "known prolific drug user and offender".
"The defendant prior to arrest had over 20 involvements with police for various matters," Ms Smith said.
"They are of the view that her behaviour was escalating."
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Ms Walto represented herself and said her bail application was based on her wanting to see her children and mother, saying the latter is "a good support person ... an amazing woman".
"I'd really, really like to see my kids for Christmas," Ms Walto said.
"If your honour can give me a chance, I would assure your honour I won't let you down."
Chief magistrate Lorraine Walker denied bail, saying any conditions imposed would not address concerns and it was "a strong prosecution case".
Ms Walker said the concern about her likelihood of failing to appear in court was not a significant factor based on her criminal history.
"Nonetheless on this occasion if convicted, she's likely to face a lengthy period of imprisonment and that goes some way to raising that particular concern," she said.
Ms Walker said "far more significant" was the likelihood of Ms Walto being charged again for alleged offending because she was "a relatively young woman with a very extensive criminal history".
The court heard Ms Walto said she had bipolar disorder and ADHD and that her treatment at the Alexander Maconochie Centre was less than optimal.
The chief magistrate said that while Walto's mental health was "of some concern", she could not put "a great deal of weight" on it because she had received "nothing from the Justice Health or any other medical person indicating the nature of the conditions or the nature of the treatment".
Ms Walto, who has not pleaded to her charges, including dangerous driving, is scheduled to front court again on January 10.
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