Victoria Police refused repeated requests by Porsche driver Richard Pusey to see graphic images of dead and dying officers during a confrontation about pictures being shared online.
Pusey allegedly attached four photos from the fatal Eastern Freeway crash in 2020 to a complaint about a $2.2 million insurance claim in November last year.
But when interviewed about the allegation and later charged, officers refused to show Pusey the pictures they say were posted, saying they were too graphic.
Pusey, who uses they/them pronouns, was charged in February this year with using a carriage service to cause offence over a complaint sent to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.
They've also pleaded not guilty to the same charge over a profile picture allegedly used with a Google review of the Porsche Centre Melbourne in February this year, and to committing offences while on bail.
Four officers died when a truck crashed into them on the side of the freeway, where they had pulled over Pusey, who escaped injury.
The Google picture showed Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor on the roof of the Porsche.
Pusey's interview was played during a contested hearing in Sunshine Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
During the interview Pusey, who is self-represented, repeatedly asked to be shown copies of the photos police allege they used.
"Show me what was sent. Show me what you claim I sent," Pusey asked.
"How can I say anything if you won't show me the picture?"
Officers replied that the images were too graphic.
Pusey accused the officers of harassment, of playing games and refused to answer questions about their insurance.
A claim against a Porsche Insurance policy was denied in March 2021, which police allege prompted Pusey to complain to AFCA that "nobody wants to own the claim" and to seek $2.2 million in compensation.
"A truck mowed down four hero road safety officers ... it broke a black Porsche and now these c***s (the insurers) won't pay out," they allege Pusey wrote.
Officers asked Pusey if they believed a reasonable person seeing those pictures would not find them offensive.
"I had to see it," Pusey replied.
"Plenty of people took pictures, it's all over the internet, man. It's not my picture."
An anonymous tip led police to the Google review, which says "when you spend $330k to $550k on a car you expect to be able to extend the warranty on the car. Not here at Porsche Centre Melbourne".
Pusey will get a chance to respond to the allegations when the hearing resumes before magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz in September.
