By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A man described by police as having a high risk of killing or seriously injuring his Narre Warren South sister and elderly parents has been refused bail at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.
While on bail in January, the 27-year-old had been a persistent threat to his family soon after serving four months’ jail for threatening his sister with a knife and contravening an intervention order, the court heard.
Police informant Acting Sergeant Peter Brereton said the man’s “rampant alcoholism”, propensity for violence and disregard for bail conditions and a full intervention order put the three family members at great risk.
When police asked about the intervention order, the man told them “that’s bulls***”, Sgt Brereton said.
“Since he was arrested, he continuously questioned police as to who informed them he was in the (family’s) house.
“Police fear that he will cause harm to that person.”
On 6 January, the sister arrived home, only to be greeted by the intoxicated man inside the front door – in defiance of the order.
Speaking to someone on his phone, the man said: “Watch what I’m going to do to her.”
The sister fled out of fear for what the man had done to her in the past.
The next day, police arrested the man inside the house.
He failed to appear in court while on bail on 16 January, but later on the same day visited the home and the three protected family members.
Again he was arrested and bailed to appear in court on 25 January.
In the meantime, the man returned to the house while drunk and violently threatened his parents until they fled.
He was found by police asleep on the couch.
Sgt Brereton said the man had been found guilty of serious crimes including assaulting police, recklessly causing injury and assisting an offender charged with attempted murder.
The man, who represented himself, said he had visited the family home after he was assaulted at his Cranbourne boarding house accommodation.
Since fleeing the boarding house, he’d “stayed under the trees when I can” but “I had nowhere else to go”.
He said he was seeking rehabilitation for his alcoholism but was not on any medication.
Magistrate Lance Martin said there was a real risk that the man would re-offend and he hadn’t shown cause for bail.
Mr Martin noted the serious charges, prior family violence, lack of employment, alcohol abuse and that the man had “really no address to go to”.
The matter was adjourned for a CREDIT bail assessment, including treatment and housing support, on 25 January.
