Bail granted for man accused of attempting to drive head-on into police officers during Albany manhunt

A man who was wanted by police after allegedly attempting to drive his car head-on into officers, who were trying to stop him, has been granted bail. Damien Lyndon Woods, 41, appeared in custody in Albany Magistrates Court on Friday charged with endangering the life, health or safety of a person, never holding a drivers licence, failing to comply with a direction, and possessing methylamphetamine. On Thursday, Albany police issued a public call for help to find Mr Woods, who they believed could assist with an ongoing investigation. Police arrested Mr Woods on Thursday before a court appearance on Friday, when his lawyer Lillie Carney made an application for bail. Police prosecutor Sgt Dylan Fisher opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and the strength of the prosecution case. Sgt Fisher told the court on June 11 it was alleged Mr Woods was driving on McNeal Loop in McKail when officers activated their lights in an attempt to stop the accused, who was wanted by police. It will be alleged Mr Woods steered his car towards the marked police vehicle and drove at them, before officers stopped in fear of a head-on collision. Sgt Fisher said the accused swerved at the last second and a crash was narrowly avoided. He said the two police officers involved in that incident could positively identify the accused, and there was CCTV footage. Sgt Fisher said “quite extensive” resources were used in the hunt for Mr Woods and if he was released on bail it was likely he would soon re-offend, noting he had only recently been released from prison. Ms Carney argued identification of Mr Woods was up for question and the defence wished to view the footage from the incident. In her application for bail, Ms Carney said her client had not been taking any drugs and was willing to have conditions imposed so he could be released from custody. He intended to go and live with his mum in Katanning, she said. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell said the bail decision was finely balanced given the prosecution and defence’s differing arguments about the strength of the case, but she did speak on the seriousness of the alleged offences. Ms O’Donnell granted Mr Woods bail on strict conditions that he live at a Katanning address with a curfew from 9pm-6am, offer a personal undertaking of $5000, and complete urine analysis testing. Mr Williams will next appear in Albany Magistrates Court for legal advice on July 24.