Jayquarne Godfrey Neil Simpson: Geraldton hit-and-run accused granted bail after anger management probe

A man alleged to have struck a man and woman known to him with a vehicle after a street fight in Geraldton has been granted bail, but not before the magistrate probed his anger issues. Jayquarne Godfrey Neil Simpson, 20, was charged with two counts of with intent to do grievous bodily harm does grievous bodily harm to another, and one count of driver failed to stop and ensure assistance was received. According to police, Mr Simpson allegedly drove a car along a footpath for about 40m before striking a 36-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman in Wonthella in November last year. The man and woman were taken to Perth for medical treatment. In Geraldton Magistrates Court on Monday, defence counsel Eloise Haslehurst argued Mr Simpson, who was previously refused bail, had exceptional circumstances due to a number of factors. The court was told the accused was under the influence at the time of the police interview after the alleged incident, where inconsistencies in facts meant some injuries to one of the victims may have already occurred. Ms Haslehurst said her client’s age, his opportunity to work, the fact he was a young father and a favourable home detention report meant there were enough factors to grant bail. Police said they opposed bail due to the serious nature of the alleged offences. When making his ruling, magistrate Matthew Walton said it was difficult to assess but acknowledged Mr Simpson’s newborn son was a factor to consider. Mr Walton noted Mr Simpson appeared to have anger management issues, allegedly not being able to control his temper when his address had been requested by community corrections. He addressed the accused directly and asked him why he got angry at the officers. After Mr Simpson said he was frustrated due a number of factors, including not seeing his son, Mr Walton said he needed to look at himself and stop blaming everyone else for the things that had happened. When asked if the accused had apologised for any wrongdoing, Mr Simpson said he did and he was doing his best to improve himself. Mr Walton granted home detention bail with electronic monitoring at an address in Thornlie, and ordered Mr Simpson to present for urinalysis and a breath test at the discretion of community corrections. He was warned a positive reading would result in a breach of bail. Mr Simpson is due back in court on Monday, May 26.