Steven James Blacklock pleads not guilty to Cole Road hit-and-run in Tamworth

On Monday, Steven James Blacklock pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm (GBH) and fail to stop and assist causing GBH in Tamworth Local Court.

Police allege the 33-year-old drove a Hyundai sedan and veered to the right-hand side of Cole Road, striking a 26-year-old woman, near the intersection of Tingira Street just after dawn on February 24.

He’s then alleged to have driven off from the scene, leaving the woman with severe lacerations to her face and neck and a fractured pelvis.

Blacklock then allegedly handed himself into police shortly after, before the car was seized.

The case has been referred to the DPP which could see it transferred to the district court for trial. 

If found guilty, Blacklock faces a maximum of seven years’ jail.

Magistrate George Breton adjourned the case to April, while a brief of evidence is compiled, and formally refused Blacklock bail.

Blacklock has been in custody since his February arrest.

Last month, magistrate Julie Soars refused Blacklock bail, telling the court he was a potential flight risk because they were “serious offences” and “a custodial sentence is on the cards if he is found guilty”.

“On the police facts there is an element of intention behind the collision,” she told the court.

“It does appear to be a strong case.”

Ms Soars pointed to an unacceptable risk of “potential interference with witnesses” and said "in those circumstances, I have to refuse bail."

The court was told there appeared to be “some sort of family feud or bad blood”, in the lead-up to the incident, which the police allege was “an intentional collision”.