David James Fleay: CCTV captures moment man with helmet allegedly rams into Geraldton police station

Shocking CCTV of a car ramming into the Geraldton police station at the weekend has been revealed in court, with the accused man remanded in custody after a report determined his actions were drug-related. David James Fleay, 42, appeared in the Geraldton Magistrates Court from custody this week where his bail application was adjourned after a specialist psychological assessment revealed the alleged incident was influenced by illicit drugs. He is yet to enter pleas to endangering life, health and safety of a person and criminal damage. It is alleged about 4.10am on Sunday, a Holden Astra entered the carpark at Geraldton police station and at high speed, rammed into the bollards near the front entrance of the building wearing a crash helmet. The court previously heard police officers on duty raced outside and arrested Mr Fleay at the scene after a short struggle. CCTV footage played in court on Tuesday captures a small car travelling through the roundabout and ploughing directly into the building with extreme force. A man was captured jumping out of the vehicle and shadow boxing as on-duty police officers raced out of the building. The footage was stopped before the arrest took place. The court was told Mr Fleay had previously felt wronged by police and purchased a sledgehammer with the intention of damaging a police vehicle. Magistrate Matthew Walton described the incident as “extraordinarily unusual” and speculated the incident could have been sparked by a drug-induced psychosis. Mr Walton said he was concerned about granting bail due to the “serious nature” of the allegations against Mr Fleay. “The footage in my view reinforces in clear detail the substance of the alleged material facts and the seriousness of the alleged offence,” he said. A previous report suggested to the court Mr Fleay had a provisional diagnosis of delusional disorder and substance abuse disorders and Mr Walton adjourned the case until Thursday for a psychological assessment. Mr Walton said there could be significant mental health conditions, but it was unclear how that interacted with alcohol and illicit substance use and he was concerned about granting any bail conditions due to the “gravamen of the alleged offences played out very clear on video”. Mr Fleay reappeared on Thursday where the court was told the alleged incident was influenced by drug use. Mr Walton said he was surprised at the report, thinking there would be more history influencing the behaviour. “My concern is this relates to illicit substances,” he said. “There could be a missing piece to the puzzle.” The matter was adjourned until Thursday, February 22 when a bail application will be reconsidered. Mr Fleay was remanded in custody.