By Cam Lucadou-Wells
AN accused family violence offender is facing allegations of entrapping his partner’s foot on the accelerator as they drove on a freeway, as well as veering her car in the path of an oncoming truck.
A fidgeting Raymond Mitai Sarich, who was withdrawing from ice, cannabis and alcohol, had his bail application cut short in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 5 September after being warned for several interjections.
Complaining of feeling hot, Sarich shouted at police officers in court as his alleged offences were detailed.
When police informant Acting Sergeant Michael Harris, of Narre Warren police, was sworn into the witness box, Sarich told him: “You don’t know the truth.”
“Why are you looking (at me)? I’ve already heard this f***ing shit so many times.”
Among the accusations was that Sarich’s partner – protected by an intervention order – pawned off her children’s iPad and another computer device for $170 at Cash Converters due to him demanding money for drugs and alcohol.
Sarich was also accused of following the ex-partner in his mother’s car from St Albans to Cranbourne on 21 August.
An allegedly red-faced Sarich yelled at the partner and drove behind, in front and beside her vehicle as they travelled down Monash Freeway.
She turned off at Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, speeding at 100 km/h in a bid to escape him, the court was told.
At the intersection of Thompsons Road in Cranbourne, the victim noticed a car slide off the road into a ditch due to Sarich allegedly cutting the driver off.
The court was told Sarich subsequently forced his partner to let him stay for three days. She told police she felt she couldn’t go anywhere.
An “abusive” and “angry” Sarich also demanded she drive him from Altona to WISE Employment in Cranbourne.
On the journey, he allegedly grabbed the steering wheel causing the car to veer in the path of a truck.
He then locked her in the car, activating the alarm, as he visited his appointment, the court heard.
On the same trip, Sarich demanded the victim drive him from his relative’s home in Clyde North back to Altona to get his phone.
On 2 September, Sarich accused the partner of sleeping with another man. She was afraid he’d hurt her if she tried to leave. “He’s completely crazy,” she told police at the time.
The next day, as she drove on the West Gate Freeway, Sarich used his leg to trap her foot on the accelerator for a minute. During that time, the car sped up from 60 km/h to 100 km/h.
She drove him to his relative’s house in Clyde North. He allegedly grabbed her keys and then her face. He told her: “You’re not going anywhere, c***. You’re coming inside.”
As they sat in the car with the windows up, Sarich screamed at her and smoked cigarettes and bongs, the court was told.
Inside the house, they watched a movie. About 11.30pm Sarich yelled at the woman for falling asleep, and barricaded the door so she couldn’t escape.
Evidence of a Father’s Day incident on 4 September was cut short when Sarich said: “Your Honour, do I have to hear this?”
“I can’t stand it … it’s the sick s*** she’s always said about me.”
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen at once rejected the bail application.
He noted custody management issues such as Sarich’s agitation, psychiatric illness, and withdrawal from drug use.
“He’s also vulnerable because he won’t be able to stop talking.”
As Sarich was led back to the cells, he banged the wall and said: “Thanks a lot.”
