Alleged horror act after school zone crash
A man accused of causing a fatal crash in a school zone, killing an aged care worker driving home, allegedly asked witnesses for a lift while walking away from the carnage with “no consideration” for the slain woman.
Chilling police allegations against Izak Kane Sefton-Bennet have been detailed in court documents following the 26-year-old’s brief appearance at a Queensland court on Tuesday.
Christella “Stella” Tan was trapped inside her Nissan Micra after it was struck by an allegedly stolen car on Windsor Rd in Burnside, near Nambour on the Sunshine Coast, about 7.20am last Friday.
Paramedics and members of the public managed to pull the critically injured 52-year-old from the wreckage some time later.
Despite efforts to treat her, Ms Tan died at the scene.
Police allege Mr Sefton-Bennett, 26, was the man behind the wheel of the stolen Mercedes hatchback that struck Ms Tan’s vehicle.
In court documents, seen by NCA NewsWire, police allege Mr Sefton-Bennett attempted to enter another person’s vehicle while asking “can you give me a lift?” but was refused.
Police allege he retrieved a black baseball bat with red tape around the handle, a green shopping bag and another black satchel bag from the wreckage.
“He then commenced walking away from the accident scene with no consideration for the welfare of Tan (the deceased),” police allege in the court documents.
The documents allege Mr Sefton-Bennett was followed up several streets by witnesses who told him to stop.
He is alleged to have replied “leave me alone” and stated he lived at an address on the street.
Police allege in the documents that Mr Sefton-Bennett dropped the black bag and entered Burnside Park, walking into a creek area where he was allegedly “observed to secrete an object under a large tree”.
Police allege later searches revealed this was a sawn-off .22 calibre rifle with a round in the chamber.
Mr Sefton-Bennett was arrested at his home allegedly pretending to be asleep in his bed.
Police say the baseball bat was found dumped in a wheelie bin at the property, while they also allegedly located small amounts of illicit drugs, a set of scales and a glass pipe.
Police further allege Mr Sefton-Bennett said in a recorded interview he “could not recall” the events of the night, save from being arrested in his bed that morning.
Police further allege in court documents Mr Sefton-Bennett robbed a man at gunpoint in Landsborough, stealing his Mercedes-Benz while armed with the sawn-off rifle.
“(The victim) was woken by a loud bang coming from the vicinity of his front door,” police allege in the documents.
“The offender said ‘give me the keys’ and pointed a firearm at (the victim’s) direction.
“(The victim) stated ‘calm down, calm the f**k down’ as the offender entered his dwelling.”
Mr Sefton-Bennett is alleged to have planned the robbery with another man according to Facebook messages allegedly found on his phone.
Police allege one message, sent by another man at 1.54am on September 15, states: “Ready door unlocked, I’m guna (sic) act innocent”.
On Tuesday, Mr Sefton-Bennett was not produced before Maroochydore Magistrates Court when his matter was briefly mentioned.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Rebecca Lambert said it was possible further charges could be laid amid the police’s “ongoing” investigation.
Mr Sefton-Bennett is already facing 12 charges, including dangerous driving causing death while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, driver callous disregard to deceased, enter dwelling with intent, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, armed robbery, possession of shortened firearm, carry loaded firearm in public, possession of a weapon while under the influence of liquor or a drug and disqualified driving.
He is also charged with possessing the drug ice, ammunition and a drug utensil.
Danielle Gill, acting for Mr Sefton-Bennett, said she had not received full instructions from her client as she only spoke to him on Friday before the charges were laid.
He had also not been transferred to a prison, instead remaining in the watch house, Ms Gill said.
“It just depends on where a bed becomes available,” Sergeant Lambert told the court.
Magistrate Kurt Fowler granted a lengthy adjournment to allow Ms Gill to seek instructions from her client, including advice on a possible bail application.
Mr Sefton-Bennett, from Caloundra West, will return to court on November 17.
According to court documents, police allege Mr Sefton-Bennett was driving in an “erratic and dangerous manner” when he approached the bend at Windsor Rd.
“As it approached a slight bend it veered into the eastbound lane and collided head-on with the victim Tan in the Nissan,” the documents allege.
