‘Won’t get out of bed’: Man accused of running woman over after attacking her with an axe refuses to speak to lawyers

A man accused of launching an axe at a police car before assaulting a woman with the weapon and running her over with her own sports car is refusing to speak with lawyers and “won’t get out of bed” following the alleged attack, a court has been told. Caleb Flentjar, 25, has been accused of throwing an axe at a police car in NSW’s Shoalhaven region on Saturday afternoon. Armed with a hammer and axe in Worrigee, he allegedly threw the weapon at a police car on Rayleigh Drive before grabbing it and running to an Illawarra Circuit home. There, he allegedly hit a 66-year-old woman several times with the axe while she sat inside her Ford Mustang. Mr Flentjar forced the woman from her car and ran her over as he drove away, leaving the woman with multiple leg and torso injuries, police allege. She was taken to Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital in a serious but stable condition and was later transferred to St George Hospital for further treatment. Mr Flentjar, still in the woman’s Mustang, then allegedly led police on an extensive chase through Nowra, Bomaderry, Berry, Gerringong and Kiama, failing to stop when directed. He hit speeds of 100km/h over the limit during the pursuit, and narrowly missed hitting a highway patrol officer after swerving the car to avoid hitting road spikes placed by officers in a bid to end the chase, police allege. The lengthy car chase came to an end after the driver allegedly collided with a ute while driving on the opposite side of the Princes Highway at Kiama Downs, about 50km from Worrigee, where police were initially alerted of the incident. The driver of the ute was taken to Wollongong Hospital for assessment. Members of the public apprehended Mr Fletjar and held him after he allegedly attempted to flee the scene. He was taken to Wollongong Hospital under police guard, and was charged with 11 offences, including aggravated take/drive motor vehicle with person in/on it -armed with weapon, custody of a knife in a public place, two counts of use etc offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, larceny, and drive motor vehicle during disqualification period. Mr Flentjar was also charged with outstanding offences related to damaging property, domestic violence assault and larceny. Expected to front Bail Division Court on Monday, Mr Fletjar refused to get out of bed or speak with his lawyer, who told the court she didn’t know what to do. Lawyer Cassie Lee, acting for Fletjar, said her client refused to see her and did not want to make a bail application on Monday morning. “Apparently he won’t get out of bed, he doesn’t want to make a bail application today and just wants an adjournment,” Ms Lee said. “I don’t know what I can do, Your Honour.” A corrections officer from Wollongong was dialled in to confirm Mr Fletjar refused to see his lawyer or make any applications, and the matter was subsequently adjourned to July 22 for mention. As such, bail was not applied for and refused. Mr Fletjar is expected to appear via a video-link on his next court date.