Four police officers were killed when a truck crashed into them during a roadside stop on the Eastern Freeway in Melbourne on Wednesday night. An investigating police officer told the court the 44-year-old used a graphic photo of one of the bleeding police officers on the roof of the Porsche for their Google profile picture. The hearing continues before Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz on Wednesday. She said while the image was offensive, she was not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that it was Pusey and not another person who posted the online review. At 9.40am the next day, Pusey turned up at a Melbourne police station with his barrister where he participated in an interview. 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VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Why Covid lab-leak theory is now being taken seriously, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. On Monday, his lawyer, Vincent Peters, said his client may have been in shock following the accident, reported the Australian Associated Press. Please try again later. Police said he tested positive to ice and cannabis on the Eastern Freeway on Wednesday. "Your conduct in recording the police officers in their dying moments, together with the words you used as you recorded, was not only derogatory and horrible but it was also callous and reprehensible conduct," Judge Wraight said. Melbourne man Richard Pusey is facing a dozen charges related to the fatal crash, (l-r) Kevin King, Josh Prestney, Lynette Taylor and Glen Humphris, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Pusey was also fined A$1,000 (557; $774), put on a two-year good behaviour bond, and had his drivers licence suspended. The Porsche driver at the centre of a horror smash which killed four police officers allegedly took graphic pictures of their contorted bodies and shared them on social media before fleeing the scene. Link Copied! A further search of his house found quantities of the deadly drug ice and other alleged contraband. (ABC News) But the judge was also at pains to stress that Pusey was not being sentenced on Wednesday for causing or contributing to the deaths of the four police officers. Porsche driver Richard Pusey will be free from prison in days after being jailed for sending graphic photos of dying police officers to the financial services watchdog. As the officers were arresting Pusey, a passing truck driver veered into the lane and plowed into their cars on the side of the road. 'We continue to investigate this incident to ensure that we uncover every detail that led to this tragic outcome. All I wanted to do was go home and have my sushi,' he said as he filmedLeading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor clinging to life. Pusey allegedly fled, before asking a witness for a ride to his home suburb of Fitzroy. Police allege Richard Pusey, 44, distributed graphic. The next day he was arrested at his home and initially charged with speeding, drug possession and reckless conduct offences. Families and supporters of the police officers criticised the sentence after it was handed down in Victoria's County Court. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. As soon as its possible to do something significant, meaningful that people can attend, I intend that we do that as soon as its possible. 'I want to acknowledge every man and woman that has in the past and continues to serve for Victoria Police. 'These officers were undertaking their everyday duties in helping to keep the community safe when they were killed. In his sentencing remarks, Judge Wraight stressed that Pusey did not cause the deaths of the four police officers, but that what he did was extremely insensitive and heartless., Tonight, we are blue. 'Their names will forever be remembered, their service honoured, and their memories celebrated,' he said. Senior Constable King is survived by his wife Sharron Mackenzie, and their three children, William, James and Henry. Constable Glen Humphris also only started his police career last year and graduated in March. Pusey has pleaded guilty to outraging public decency, driving at speed more than 45km/h over the limit, possessing drugs of dependence, including ketamine and MDMA and reckless conduct endangering . Earlier this month, VIctorias Supreme Court sentenced Mohinder Singh to 22 years in prison, after the truck driver responsible for the collision pleaded guilty to causing the death of the officers. Experts say she was likely still alive at the time. "This sentence is totally inappropriate of this offending," Mr Schulze told reporters outside court. 'Kevin was passionate about road policing and knew that it was not just about giving out tickets,' his obituary read. Flags were also flying at half-mast and landmarks lit up in blue across Victoria on Thursday in honour of the officers. Moments later multiple civilians are seen attempting to assist the dying police officer. Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton paid an emotional tribute to the fallen officers on Thursday. Richard Pusey, 41, tested positive to drugs at the scene before fleeing on foot Police allege he took photos of the grisly scene and shared them on Facebook One of the dead cops was Josh. Pusey, 42, has pleaded guilty to four charges: outraging public decency, drug possession, reckless conduct endangering serious injury and speeding, after the crash on the Eastern Freeway which left four Victoria Police officers dead in April last year. Get The New Daily free every morning and evening. Thanks for signing up! Taylor and King both left behind spouses and children while Humphris and Prestney were new, young recruits. An Australian man has received a 10-month jail sentence for filming and mocking police officers as they lay dying at a crash scene. A source at Melbourne Assessment Prison said Pusey went on a rant, in which he denied the allegations against him, The Herald Sun reports. Ashton said four small funerals will be held in the coming weeks for officers, all of which would comply with the current 10-person limit, and the force would make plans for a larger ceremony with full police honours when physical distancing requirements allowed. The 42-year-old has already been in custody for nearly 300 days, so he will probably complete his sentence within days. Pusey's alleged conduct after the crash has shocked the community and disgusted police. 'They do it to protect. Four Victoria police victims of horror Melbourne freeway crash named, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. 'They were members of our Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section and Highway Patrol. Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Constable Glen Humphris, Senior Constable Kevin King, and Constable Josh Prestney were all killed. However, police then also discovered Pusey's video and that he had shared it among friends. Pusey represented themself in court, cross-examining police about photos of the crash. The driver, Mohinder Singh Bajwa, is facing negligent driving charges over the crash. After allegedly taking the gruesome pictures, Pusey is alleged to have fled the scene on foot, but was arrested less than 24 hours later. The court is yet to make a decision on his bail application. Australia's most notorious Porsche driver Richard Pusey is charged with posting a photo online of the body of one of four cops killed by a truck when they pulled him over Richard Pusey,. Senior Constable Taylor is survived by her husband, a former Victoria Police officer, Stuart Schultz and their two sons, Nathan and Alexander. Pusey hadn't caused the deaths of the officers, contrary to some public opinion, the judge said. Commissioner Ashton said he had already met with the victims' devastated families. An Australian man has received a 10-month jail sentence for filming and mocking police officers as they lay dying at a crash scene. After witnessing the carnage, he allegedly went to his crumpled car and grabbed two mobile phones and began filming. Shortly after two highway patrol officers were called to assist at the scene, a large refrigerated truck drove into the four officers. Another officer is seen laid on the road, surrounded by blood, next to the truck. The court heard Pusey did not call the local police station until about 11pm that night where he refused to come in. Mykytowycz on Monday said it was hard to conceive of a more serious example of the offence she found Pusey guilty of. 'The outpouring of community support to date has been truly remarkable and touching and on behalf of Victoria Police, I thank you for this. He then shared some photos of the scene with a mate and allegedly joked about how he hoped to get out of paying the speeding fine. Pusey hadn't caused the deaths of the officers, contrary to some public opinion, the judge said. Pusey was sentenced to 10 months in prison on April 28. Pusey allegedly called his wife after the crash, and later contacted a federal police officer he knew and sent her the video. 'The maximum penalty is 10 years imprisonments or 1200 penalty units or $198,264 fine.'. After the collision, Judge Trevor Wraight said in his sentencing, Pusey purposefully walked around the crash site filming and taking photographs of the dying or dead officers while giving a running commentary and zooming in on their injuries. (Photo by Luis Ascui/Getty Images). He was remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Friday. 'He blacked out at the scene, and then was treated by ambulance officers at the scene. However, the senior AFCA manager in charge of the claim, Harry Ganavas, told the court the images attached to the claim were irrelevant and Puseys description of events left him full of revulsion. The 42-year-old has already been in custody for nearly 300 days, so he will probably complete his sentence within days. The court had heard that Pusey stood over and taunted Senior Constable Taylor as she remained pinned under the lorry. Plenty of people took pictures, its all over the internet, man. His reported statements have sparked outrage in the local community. They do it to make a difference. Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor could be heard calling for help before Richard Pusey began filming the crash, Melbourne magistrates court was told on Friday. Poll captures publics shifts in attitude towards government, Consumer watchdog acts to take the spin out of greenwashing by businesses, Alan Kohler: The superannuation tax increase is a dress rehearsal, Economists back tourists and international students to keep Australia out of recession, Baseless and unjustified: Defiant Lisa Wilkinson lays out defamation defence, Australia Post under review as letter deliveries no longer sustainable, The New Daily uses cookies. Young officers at the beginning of their careers. Australian admits filming and taunting dying officer, Human error to blame for deadly train crash, says Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. 01:53 GMT 24 Apr 2020 An alcohol breath test was negative, but the drug test allegedly came back positive and Pusey was directed out of the vehicle. 'They go where they are needed, without question and without hesitation. An Australian . They will face a pre-sentence hearing later on Monday and is expected to be sentenced at a later date. Sergeant Josh Parker admitted it was in the realm of possibility that there were other photos and videos from the crash still online. Its not my picture, Pusey had told police when interviewed about the complaint. 'Josh was a much loved and respected member of his squad,' his obituary read. All rights reserved. We will do this for those we have lost and for their families. Pusey did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody to reappear in court on July 16. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Police are urging anyone who was driving in the area who has dashcam footage, in particular the movements of the truck immediately before the collision, to come forward. Police allege Pusey, 44, distributed graphic pictures of the April 2020 crash some of which showed the severely injured officers online in a Google review of a car dealership and for a complaint to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. Two other police officers, Kevin King and Josh Prestney, arrived at the scene shortly after. The man told the Herald Sun Pusey enjoyed showing off his Porsche and multi-million dollar home. Subscribe for free to get the latest breaking news and analysis sent to your inbox. Police have alleged that he later tested positive for drugs. The truck itself appears to have moved from one of the traffic lanes in the freeway into the emergency lane and has travelled a short distance in the emergency lane at around about 100km/h and slammed into the rear of the highway patrol vehicle.. Still, families of the victims were disappointed with the length of the sentence in a case that has stirred huge public anger. The offence of outraging public decency has rarely been prosecuted in Australia, and the charge carries no set penalty. Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Constable Glen Humphris and Senior Constable Kevin King were all also tragically killed on Wednesday night. 'Each from different backgrounds, each with different life experiences, each with a common goal to keep the community safe. Constable Glen Humphris andConstable Josh Prestney had not been in the job very long. Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Richard Pusey has been found guilty of sending offensive images. Pusey, who uses they/them pronouns, pleaded not guilty to two charges of using a carriage service to cause offence. 'Time and time again, I am overwhelmed by how our people rally together during the tough and challenging times through natural disasters, state-wide emergencies, mass tragedies and the loss of our own. Did you encounter any technical issues? Family members of the four dead police officers during a press conference outside the County Court of Victoria in Melbourne on April 28. 'It's incredible, I've never encountered anything like it,' he told The Project. I felt repulsed and physically ill actually, at the graphic content of those photographs, he said during the contested hearing. He argued it was the court's duty to "set the appropriate standard" in penalising such behaviour. He is expected to make an application for bail next week. 'I went today to visit of all the immediate families of the officers who we lost last night and were tragically killed in this collision. Never miss a story. 'As many will attest, the everyday nature of police work can sometimes seem mundane, but this weeks events are a timely reminder of how quickly that can change. Last month Richard Pusey pleaded guilty to the rare charge of outraging public decency, as well as other offences. 'It will take time for many to recover from this tragedy, but we should take comfort in knowing that we stand together as a police family and as a Victorian community. Pusey had been relieving himself when the truck hit about 5.42pm - 36 minutes after Senior-Constable Taylor activated her camera. Wayne Flower In Melbourne For Daily Mail Australia 2023 Cable News Network. The court had heard that Pusey stood over and taunted Senior Constable Taylor as she remained pinned under the lorry. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. The head of Victoria state's police union also criticised the sentence. An Australian . Police raided the truck drivers Cranbourne home on Wednesday night and are yet to reveal what they found. Stay up on the very latest with Evening Update. Just moments earlier, three policemen and a police woman pulled over Richard Pusey, a 42-year-old mortgage broker, for speeding in his black Porsche at about 90 mph. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The woman, wearing a black baseball cap and mask, refused to comment on Friday as a Melbourne Magistrates' Court heard sickening allegations that her husband Richard Pusey, 41 had taunted police as they lay dying and crying for help after being hit by a truck on the Eastern Freeway. Their families will never be the same and our thoughts and prayers are with them.'. A truck towing a trailer veered into the lane and struck the police officers, fatally injuring them. Richard Pusey, who allegedly fled the scene of a truck crash on Melbournes Eastern Freeway which killed four police officers, is taken away from his Fitzroy property by police. Images from the crash that killed four police officers in April 2020 were attached to a November 2021 complaint sent by the . VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Commissioner Ashton police have still not had the opportunity to interview the truck's driver, saying he 'wasn't ruling anything out'. A previous sketch of Richard Pusey appearing before court. Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Constable Glen Humphris, Senior Constable Kevin King and Constable Josh Prestney were all killed in the crash on Wednesday evening. He noted that Pusey had a history of mental health problems, including a complex personality disorder "which may go some way to explaining your behaviour". 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