Vincent Albert Knight: 35-year-old Elleker man accused of targeted hit-and-run attack granted bail

An Elleker man accused of deliberately hitting a stranger with his ute in Albany in June has been granted bail. Vincent Albert Knight, 35, appeared via video link from Albany Regional Prison in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday to complete the second part of his part-heard bail application. He is charged with committing an act intended to harm or endanger life. Mr Knight is accused of deliberately swerving his ute to strike a 36-year-old Perth man on June 18. The victim was walking outside the BP Service Station on Albany Highway near Peels Place when Mr Knight allegedly struck him, causing the man to roll over the bonnet. The victim was not known to Mr Knight, though they had “exchanged words” at a bus stop on York Street earlier that day. Albany police appealed for witnesses and footage of the incident before arresting Mr Knight on June 19. Mr Knight indicated he would plead guilty at his last court appearance on July 4. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell granted Mr Knight bail with protected conditions. He is not to approach or contact the victim, must not apply for a passport, leave the State or go within 5km of any international departure point. Police prosecutor Warrick Walker said the two men were unlikely to come across each other given that there was “no known relationship between them before the incident”. Mr Knight agreed to undergo a $3000 personal undertaking and $3000 surety. He will next appear in court on November 7.