'Meow meow' drug blamed for 'psychotic' carjacking rampage at Murray Bridge
A man who carjacked a car before crashing it and trying to steal a second was in a state of psychosis caused by a drug he took the week before, a court has heard.
Key points:
- Tests showed only cannabis present in Aaron Wilson's system during carjacking
- Lawyer says people can have "heightened psychotic state of behaviour" two weeks after taking drug
- Wilson admitted five charges including theft using force and aggravated assault
Aaron Sumner Wilson pleaded guilty to all five charges relating to the carjacking incident, which took place in Murray Bridge, about 70 kilometres east of Adelaide, in 2015.
The court previously heard Wilson had been riding a pushbike before he pulled a woman out of her car, drove the car over a roundabout, smashed it into a stobie pole and tried to steal another car.
Judge Paul Muscat said during sentencing submissions that expert reports had shed some light on what he described as "bizarre behaviour".
"[The reports] clearly reveal that your client was in a state of drug-induced psychosis at the time of the offending," he said.
"That does not afford him a defence, but it does highlight just how bizarre and irrational someone can become as a result of taking too many amphetamine-based drugs."
Wilson's charges included committing theft using force and aggravated assault without a weapon.
Meow meow creates 'heightened psychotic state'
The court heard that a toxicology report showed only cannabis was present in Wilson's system at the time of the carjacking.
Wilson's lawyer, Joseph Sanders, said the psychotic episode was caused by the drug known as meow meow, which his client had taken the week prior.
"I can indicate that meow meow has incredibly destructive effects," he said.
"I have numerous clients up in Murray Bridge who even after a week or two have had a heightened psychotic state of behaviour."
Prosecution lawyer Kim Eldridge called for Wilson's sentence to reflect the severity of his actions.
"This was high-risk behaviour and, as the defendant himself acknowledged, it was very, very lucky indeed that no-one was seriously injured as a result," she said.
"So general deterrence will be important when your honour is considering what penalty to impose."
The court has previously heard Wilson deeply regretted his actions.
"I was in a bad mental state of mind and very unhealthy without being on medication and long-term drug abuse made me do what I did," he said.
"I'm so ashamed of myself for what I did and what impact it has had on my mum, daughters and grandchildren.
"I apologise to everyone that witnessed me at my lowest and thank God nobody was seriously injured."
Wilson is due back in court on Wednesday for sentencing.