By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A man accused of a spree of car thefts has yelled a spray of obscenities in court after being refused bail to an address in the South-East.
During his appearance on 28 May, the man – who had just turned 18 – was said to be withdrawing from “everything”. That included a mix of “multiple drugs” and alcohol.
The man had been arrested by police at Comfort Inn, Dandenong on 26 May for failing to appear at a children’s court.
In April, he had been arrested and released on summons on four charges of car theft – three of them allegedly stolen during aggravated home burglaries in Highett in March.
The vehicles including a $95,000 Audi, and another worth $56,000 were later recovered in various locations by police, the magistrates’ court was told.
A $15,000 vehicle stolen from a Hampton East home driveway was allegedly dumped after crashing with another vehicle.
A Youth Justice worker told the court she was surprised that police released the man on summons at that point.
After his release, the man threatened victims in two separate incidents in Highett on 31 March.
In the first instant, he allegedly charged with a knife at a victim, then banged and stabbed an apartment door up to 30 times as the victim barricaded himself inside.
He was also accused of punching another man and trying to snatch his car keys at a home driveway the same day.
His defence lawyer told the court that the man had been couch-surfing, escaping significant drug use at his family home.
He had been offered stable accommodation with relatives. He was undergoing counselling for depression and anxiety.
A magistrate said that the man was “high-risk” to the community, noting he was on ecstasy, Xanax, alcohol and cannabis during the recent assaults.
He had acted in an “appalling manner”, causing “so much harm” and would not be released that day, the magistrate said.
Noting the man’s “unknown” mental health issues, the judge remanded him to appear at court at a later date.
