Knife accused given bail

Magistrate says alleged offending linked to drug use

A MAN accused of terrorising Geelong retail workers with a knife while he was on bail has been set free by a magistrate.

Dean Hollander, of St Albans Park, is accused of brandishing the knife and threatening to stab employees at stores in Torquay, South Geelong and Waurn Ponds.

The 29-year-old has also been charged with committing dozens of shop thefts across a 42-day period.

Police had opposed bail in Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday, with prosecutor Senior Constable Siobhan Daly saying officers had “serious concerns”.

Sen-Constable Daly said the first knife-related incident happened on February 20 when he allegedly stole items from Repco in Waurn Ponds.

Police claim a staff member confronted Mr Hollander, who said: “Do you want to get stabbed?”

He is accused of flashing a knife at Bunnings Torquay after stealing a chainsaw two days later. A similar incident is alleged to have happened on February 28 at Supercheap Auto in Waurn Ponds.

Mr Hollander was charged and bailed four days later after police stopped him allegedly driving with stolen number plates.

But police claim he contin- ued offending on March 11, when he allegedly stole more than $1000 worth of clothing from De Grandi Cycle and Sport on Moorabool St.

After being confronted, Mr Hollander is accused of brandishing a knife and threatening to stab a worker in the face.

He was arrested at his home 20 minutes later.

Sen-Constable Daly said the knife incidents had a “major impact” on the employees who were threatened.

She said Mr Hollander had told police he was stealing to fund an ice addiction, which was costing him $150 a day.

Defence lawyer Olivia Callahan said the 38 days her client had spent in custody were a “huge shock” for him.

“It has provided him a lot of clarity on what his offending has done to his family, the community and himself,” Ms Callahan said.

Magistrate Jonathan Klestadt decided to grant bail despite saying Mr Hollander had a “poor record” of complying with court orders.

Mr Klestadt described the charges as “extraordinarily serious” but said the alleged offending was linked to Mr Hollander’s drug addiction.

As part of his bail conditions, he must live with his cousin in Norlane, abide by a night-time curfew and report to police three times a week.

His case will return to court next month.