Unpaid work for hammer attacker

A PARANOID Geelong man who smashed up an office in the city with a sledgehammer, terrifying workers who were trying to help him find a job, was ordered to do unpaid community work yesterday.

County Court judge Gerard Mullaly said Anthony Wedding’s mental health issues “collided” with the criminal justice system in February last year when he committed the aggravated burglary and property damage at St Laurence (MyWork) employment service on Ryrie St.

The judge noted the impact the crime had on the agency’s staff and clients, saying the offence would usually demand a jail term, but said the man’s mental state had to be considered. He explained Wedding, 50, lived a law-abiding life until the incident, noting his serious mental illness was at its worst on the day of the offence.

The judge told the court Wedding was hearing voices that day, in many different languages, and was out of sorts and agitated when he showed up at the agency.

“I want a f---ing job,” the man demanded.

“In your paranoia you believed you were being treated differently and your complaints were not being treated seriously,” the judge said.

After smashing a door and a desk, Wedding was talked down by a “courageous” staff member at the agency, and was soon arrested by police on Ryrie St, where he was still carrying the weapon.

“Those workers must be protected,” Judge Mullaly said. “However, your actions, while frightening, were brief and not directed specifically at a worker.” The judge added that the man had since improved his mental health markedly.

Wedding was put on a 20month community corrections order, and ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid treatment and work.