THE Mount Gambier man accused of stealing a motorcycle from Port MacDonnell before crashing into a car at the city’s main corner on Monday has regained consciousness.
Joshua Mathusalem, 27, was deemed not physically fit to appear in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court yesterday when his ongoing bail application was listed.
He was not wearing a helmet when he reportedly ran a red light and crashed the motorcycle at around 12.30pm.
He was charged by police with several traffic offences and theft at the Mount Gambier Hospital, before falling unconscious.
Mathusalem was flown urgently to Flinders Medical Centre where he was placed in an induced coma.
The defendant’s lawyer revealed her client had since regained consciousness, however stated it was unclear when he would be fit to appear.
“He may need brain rehabilitation,” the defendant’s lawyer said.
Magistrate Teresa Anderson raised concerns about the man remaining on remand.
“There is a significant cost to the taxpayer for G4S to be sitting with him,” Magistrate Anderson said.
However she understood the difficult position both the prosecution and defence counsel were faced with in relation to the matter.
“If he was well enough to appear, he would have a presumption in favour of bail and home detention would be an option,” Magistrate Anderson said.
The prosecution said they would be opposed to bail unless risk to the community and to himself was addressed.
Magistrate Anderson opted to adjourn the matter until October 23 to await more medical information.
She said the matter could be called on earlier if defence counsel received advice the defendant was fit to be discharged from hospital.
It is understood the trail bike Mathusalem was riding was stolen from a shed at Port MacDonnell on Monday morning with police receiving numerous calls from the public warning of the motorcycle rider’s erratic behaviour.
