Man who rammed Adelaide police station thought the Devil was chasing him
The man who rammed a car through the front of the Adelaide Police Station, sparking a major security review, thought he was being chased by the Devil.
Heroin addict Jarrad Davis was allegedly in a drug-induced psychosis when he slammed his former cellmate’s car into the front of the Wakefield Street complex last August.
The Adelaide Magistrate’s Court heard in his psychotic state, Davis believed police were the last agents of the Devil, so he deliberately drove into the station because there’s CCTV and he’d be safe.
When two officers responded in an unmarked car, he rammed them as well, then pulled out a knife and threatened to stab them.
Davis was later subdued with capsicum spray and taken to hospital, where he spat in the face of an ambulance officer who was treating him.
At the height of the drama, the bomb squad was called in and the area locked down.
Despite claiming the incident was part of a drug-induced psychosis, police have argued it was a deliberate criminal act.
“We have to applaud the actions of our officers in relation to making sure that no one was injured,” Mark Carroll from the Police Association said.
The crash prompted a review of security around city and suburban stations.
Davis’s lawyer said his client had been addicted to drugs since he was 12 and urged the magistrate to be lenient when he’s sentenced at a later date.
If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling Lifeline 13 11 14, Mensline 1300 789 978, or Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
