A court case against a boy charged over a fatal crash during a police chase in Ballan has been adjourned, with defence lawyers asking for more time so he can be assessed by a neuropsychologist.
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The 18-year-old, who The Courier cannot name for legal reasons because he was a child at the time of the incident, appeared on Friday in a children’s court where he formally pleaded guilty to a string of charges over the horror smash that killed Ballarat girl Jacqueline Vodden, 16, on September 19.
Jacqueline died when the boy lost control of a stolen van they were travelling in and crashed into a stationary VicRoads truck on the Western Freeway after police attempted to pull them over.
On Friday, up to 10 charges relating to the boy’s crime spree were read out to the court, including culpable driving causing death and failing to stop and render assistance after an accident in which a person was killed.
Defence lawyers asked for the adjournment so they could prepare a neuropsychological report, which looks into how someone’s brain functions, saying it would be completed in April.
A judge granted the adjournment but said she hoped Jacqueline’s family understood the need for the delay.
“It’s very difficult turning up to the court and having it adjourned,” she said.
Dozens of family and friends of both Jacqueline and the boy sat only metres apart in the packed courtroom.
Jacqueline’s parents, who were comforted by friends as details of the charges were read out, wore white t-shirts emblazoned with pictures of their daughter.
The boy was remanded and led back into custody after the judge said his family was not to have contact with him while he was in the dock.
He will re-appear in April.