FIVE people accused of leaving a man with serious head injuries after throwing rocks during a police chase have pleaded not guilty to grievous bodily harm charges. Photo: Fairfax
Lawyers for Aaron Dare, Robert Jackson, Anthony Glover, Kelvin Muckan, all in their early twenties, and Jayde Moscay, 19, appeared for their clients in Armidale Local Court on Wednesday.
The defendants are accused of throwing rocks from a stolen vehicle at passing cars during a chase between Glen Innes and Ebor in November.
One of the projectiles allegedly thrown from the car smashed through the windscreen of an oncoming vehicle and struck its 29-year-old driver in the head.
The victim, Patrick Garrett from Guyra, required emergency brain surgery and remained in a medically induced coma for two weeks after the incident.
Rocks thrown from the vehicle allegedly struck a truck and two other cars during the pursuit.
All five pleaded not guilty to charges of grievous bodily harm and using an offensive weapon in company to avoid detention charges.
But Dare, who was the alleged driver of the vehicle during the chase, pleaded guilty to failing to stop when pursued by police.
The defendants waived their right to a committal hearing.
Magistrate Karen Stafford ordered that the cases appear before Armidale District Court on May 8, when an arraignment date will be determined.
Dare will be sentenced for his police pursuit charge on the same day.
All five were refused bail.