Accused driver used church as a defence

A Perth man accused of stealing a Toyota LandCruiser and driving up to a remote community in the Kimberley has maintained he did not do it. Michael Jenkins appeared in the Broome Magistrate’s Court via videolink from Broome Regional Prison last Thursday where he pleaded not guilty to stealing the car, travelling up to One Arm Point and using it to ram fences. Mr Jenkins allegedly stole the LandCruiser in South Hedland between September 13 and 14 and travelled to One Arm Point, a remote community in the Kimberley’s Dampier Peninsula that has been closed to the public because of COVID-19 restrictions. Upon arrival, Mr Jenkins allegedly tried to break into the community’s administration office by ripping off the security screen door before allegedly moving on to use the stolen car to ram fences and supporting poles at the community’s men’s shed and the local school. When he was picked up by police, Mr Jenkins allegedly explained his actions by claiming the Anglican Church had instructed him to travel to the comm-unity and tear down all of its fences to “free the women and allow them to be cleansed”. Throughout the hearing, Mr Jenkins repeatedly told Magistrate Stephen Sharratt the allegations were “not true” and the last thing he remembered was being flown out. It was not clear whether Mr Jenkins had existing mental health issues or was on medication. A bail application that was made on his behalf was refused by Mr Sharratt due to not being able to provide a specific address where Mr Jenkins would reside and the bizarre circumstances, causing concern for potential reoffending. “I don’t even know why you’re pleading not guilty when the police’s case is so strong,” he said to Mr Jenkins. Mr Jenkins is due to face trial on March 18.