Attempted murder accuser had 'motive to lie': Defence lawyer says

A man who claimed his ex-partner grabbed the steering wheel of his car and caused a crash was making up a cover story because he was "in the gun", the woman's lawyer says.

Maxine Avlon Paul, 58, from Waihī is on trial in the Rotorua High Court and has denied a charge of attempting to murder her former partner, Mark Bickley.

Paul has also denied two charges of dangerous driving causing injury to Hamilton couple Ciaran Dunn and Zoe Rothnie.

The charges related to a collision in January 2017 between Bickley's Holden station wagon and a Toyota Surf Hilux on State Highway 2 near the intersection with Aongatete Rd.

Bickley claimed his then-partner Paul twice grabbed the wheel, the second time sending his vehicle careering over the centreline, instantly hitting the Hilux.

Both vehicles were extensively damaged and a seriously injured Paul, belted in the passenger seat of the station wagon, had to be cut free.

Paul chose not to give evidence, but a former partner of Bickley's told the court that when they were together, his driving was "erratic" and she would often close her eyes.

In his closing address, Paul's lawyer Bill Nabney told the jury that Bickley had a clear motive to come up with a cover story to try and shift the blame onto Paul.

"I suggest to you that Mr Bickley's version of events is nonsensical and, let's not sugar coat it, he's an unreliable witness and has a very good reason for not telling the truth.

"Mr Bickley knows he's in the gun if he is found to be responsible for causing this crash,"
Nabney said Bickley's evidence had been contradicted by several Crown witnesses.

"I invite you to come back with not guilty pleas on all charges, he said.

Crown prosecutor Heidi Wrigley argued that while Bickley contradicted himself a few times he gave "an accurate and honest account" during the core pieces of evidence.

Wrigley said Bickley's account was also supported by the Crown witnesses.

Bickley's account was also consistent with Senior Constable Chelley's evidence, she said.

The trial continues today.