Accused death car driver was on bail

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THE alleged driver of a stolen car involved in the death of a 17-month-old girl was released on bail for serious offences two months after the state government relaxed the NSW bail laws.

Tateolena Tauaifaga was killed as she was playing in her backyard at Constitution Hill on Thursday night when Christopher Chandler, driving a stolen Audi, allegedly ploughed through a fence and hit the little girl. Police late yesterday arrested Chandler on the Central Coast. He will appear in court today.

Caught ... Christopher Chandler. Source: Supplied

Police were last night yet to charge Chandler in relation to the girl’s death. Investigations were continuing. Chandler was charged and jailed on March 12 last year for an alleged violent home ­invasion, robbery, car theft and drug possession but was released on bail on July 16 after the state government ­relaxed the bail laws.
The government has since been forced to review the laws after a number of high-profile cases of accused killers and rapists being released. The tougher laws will not be ­enforced until January 28.

Katie Tuite leaving court. Source: Channel 9

“This is a classic example of where the interim bail laws have let the community down, and now we have a young girl dead,’’ Victims of Crime ­Assistance League vice-president Howard Brown said.
“This man has had an ­appalling record and was always at risk of not meeting his bail conditions. It’s a tragedy.’’
NSW Attorney-General Brad Hazzard told The Daily Telegraph last night it would be harder for serious offenders to get bail when the new bail laws came into effect.

17-month-old girl Tatalena Tauaifaga was killed after a car crashed through the fence of her family’s home when she was playing in the garden. Picture: AAP Image/Gemma Najem. Source: AAP

“This is an example of why the Baird government has changed the Bail Act, to ensure people like Chandler are more likely to be behind bars than on the streets,” he said.
Chandler, who has a lengthy criminal history, was ordered to pay $700 surety and report to Redfern police station twice a day. He also had a curfew ordering him to stay at a designated residence between 8pm and 7am. His last court appearance was in November last year.

Christopher Chandler / Picture: Supplied Source: Facebook

Christopher Chandler / Picture: Supplied Source: Facebook

He failed to appear in early December but a doctor’s certificate was provided to the court and bail was continued. He was then ordered to appear in the District Court at the Downing Centre in June. Police said Chandler stopped reporting to Redfern police around Christmas Eve.

Police search the scene of the crash in Constitution Hill. Picture: Bill Hearne Source: News Corp Australia

A woman who was allegedly a passenger in the car yesterday failed in a bid for bail.
Central Local Court heard Katie Tuite, 23, had twice failed to appear in court and was “an unacceptable risk” of breaching bail or committing other offences. Tuite was arrested in Darlinghurst after the fatal pursuit, allegedly in possession of ice. In addition to drug charges, the court heard Tuite was the subject of six outstanding warrants.
Tuite’s counsel, Steven Rees, said his client had offered to be “under house arrest” and could report as often as twice a day to police.
But Magistrate Les Mabbutt said she was “unlikely to comply” with bail conditions or attend court as ordered. She will face court on January 29.

The death of Tatiana Tauaifaga has hit the community hard. Source: News Corp Australia

Originally published as Accused death car driver was on bail