A man blamed his alleged erratic driving "mistake" on his cousin before begging a magistrate to send him to hospital instead of jail, which he said would "actually destroy" him.
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Bonner resident Chol Garang Mayen, 32, was pulled over by mobile patrol police after allegedly driving erratically on Gundaroo Drive in Gungahlin on Wednesday, ACT Magistrates Court documents state.
He has been charged with failing to provide a breath sample, providing a false name or address, driving while disqualified, breaching a good behaviour order and breaching bail. He has not entered pleas.
Mr Mayen allegedly provided police with a false name and birthdate, despite having spoken to officers an hour earlier and having a distinctive neck tattoo.
Police said Mr Mayen's "demeanour fluctuated rapidly between polite and conversational to sullen and combative".
"His ability to understand instructions was fair and his speech fluctuated between normal and alert to slurred and mumbled ... police hold the opinion the defendant was under the influence of an intoxicating substance."
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Mr Mayen said he had not consumed alcohol and was driving to the city to pick up his cousin.
During a bail hearing in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday, Mr Mayen apologised to magistrate Glenn Theakston.
"I made a mistake that night and it was because of my cousin," he said.
"I'm sorry that I made a mistake."
Mr Theakston, who had read through Mr Mayen's criminal history, said: "You made a mistake on many occasions, it appears."
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Mr Mayen asked to be granted bail or taken to a hospital instead of remaining in custody until his hearing date.
"I don't need to go to prison, your honour," Mr Mayen said via an audio-visual link.
"I'm begging the court today ... give me a chance."
Mr Mayen said he needed to be admitted to a mental health unit instead of being remanded at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
"It would actually destroy me ... can you send me to hospital [instead]?" he asked.
"I'm emotionally weak, and mentally weak as well ... I don't even know what I'm saying right now, I'm literally weak."
Mr Mayen was refused bail. He will appear in court at a later date.
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Lanie Tindale
I am City reporter at The Canberra Times. I previously covered health for the masthead, and was a trainee before that. I have written on courts, federal politics, breaking news, features and opinion. lanie.tindale@canberratimes.com.au.
I am City reporter at The Canberra Times. I previously covered health for the masthead, and was a trainee before that. I have written on courts, federal politics, breaking news, features and opinion. lanie.tindale@canberratimes.com.au.
