Dad to joyrider teen: Grow up, grow a brain

BAILED: Timothy Mannell, 17, of Waterford West, leaving court yesterday. Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

THE father of a 15-year-old girl allegedly involved in the attempted murder of a police officer on the Gold Coast says his daughter would be left in jail if it was up to him.

Police allege the girl was riding in a stolen Subaru with three other teenagers when a police officer was run down and pinned between two cars during a police chase at Coomera on the Gold Coast at 1.15am yesterday.

The girl, from Browns Plains on Brisbane's southside, along with another girl the same age, was granted bail in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday after being charged with stealing and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Another passenger in the car, Timothy Mannell, 17, of Waterford West, was also granted bail on charges of fail to stop, stealing, unlawful use and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

The car's driver Jade Alexander Smyth, also 17 and of Waterford West, was remanded in custody on 14 charges including attempted murder, unlawful use and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

A Gold Coast teen has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to run over a police officer

Outside court, the exasperated father of the teen girl said he thought his daughter was on a camping trip before she phoned in the early hours of yesterday to tell him she had been arrested.

"I'm definitely ashamed," said the man as he led his daughter from Southport watchhouse yesterday afternoon while she yelled abuse at members of the media.

"My personal opinion is no, she shouldn't be out on bail.

"I have no idea where we go from here.

BAILED: One alleged offender leaves court yesterday.

"You hear stories about youths going off the rails, they say there is help out there for them yet we have not been able to get any support (for his daughter).

"Let's hope she grows up and grows a brain."

In court, Magistrate John Costanzo refused Smyth's bail application saying police in an unmarked car activated their emergency lights and attempted to stop the Subaru at a 7-Eleven fuel station on Dreamworld Parkway, stopping 3m from the suspect car.

When Constable Aaron Minns got out of the vehicle and signalled for them to stop, the teens allegedly revved loudly before "taking off at speed", swerving toward Minns, forcing him to leap out of the way.

"The Subaru then swerved to the right where Minns was standing, hit his leg and crashed into the police car, pinning Constable Minns between the cars," said Magistrate Costanzo.

"They continued to drive, turning Constable Minns around, and then took off at speed north."

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