The accused was charged with multiple offences arising from a police pursuit while driving a stolen vehicle.
He pleaded guilty to failing to stop for police, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and possession of property obtained by crime.
The remaining issues at trial were whether the accused committed aggravated assault or assault causing bodily harm against a police officer by accelerating his vehicle toward the officer while attempting to flee.
The court rejected the accused’s evidence, accepted the testimony of the officer and civilian witnesses, and found that the accused intentionally accelerated toward the officer to force him out of the way.
This conduct constituted a threat to apply force with a motor vehicle that endangered the officer’s life and satisfied the elements of aggravated assault.
