Curse on Magistrate

Court told of house invasion terror for two victims

A WOMAN, 34, abused a Geelong magistrate telling him she would curse him and he “would die soon” after he denied her bail.

Tammy James and her coaccused, Felicia Kirby, 33, both of no fixed address, appeared in Geelong Magistrates’ Court over charges including aggravated burglary and theft.

The court heard Ms Kirby was arrested on Sunday after she and four others charged into a Norlane home threatening the victim and stealing a bag full of his belongings.

Detective Senior Constable Bianca Shirra told the court Ms James, who was known to the victim, banged on his window and yelled at him for an hour.

“The victim finally opened the front door to tell her to go away,” Sen-Constable Shirra said.

“At that point the four accused ran past the victim and began searching through his belongings.”

She said the victim offered them $20 for a taxi but they then demanded all the cash in his wallet.

“Two co-accused made a demand for the money in the wallet saying, ‘give me the money or else’,” she said

“The victim wanted to call police but the two co-accused threatened that, ‘Michael is outside he’ll bash you’.”

On another occasion police allege Ms Kirby, accompanied by three women, attacked an 89-year-old man in the doorway of his Corio home.

“As the victim arrived home he opened the front door with his key and was approached from behind by three females,” Sen-Constable Shirra said.

“They attempted to gain access to his house by trying to push past him. The victim managed to keep his feet but was pushed into the passage.

“The victim tried to fight of the females but the accused (Ms Kirby) grabbed the victim’s bag from his left shoulder.”

She said they ran off and the 89-year-old crawled across the road to his neighbour’s house where he knocked on the window before collapsing on their door step.

The court heard the elderly man was treated at the Geelong hospital for distress, a swollen hand and a scratched finger. Police also allege Ms Kirby stole $500 from the home of a 74-year-old man.

In denying bail to Ms Kirby and Ms James, Magistrate Brian Clifford said they were an unacceptable risk to the community and there was a very strong case against them.

Ms James told Mr Clifford he was an “old prick”, threatened to “put a curse” on him and told him “you’ll die soon” as she was taken from the dock.

Both were remanded and will appear before the court on May 25.