Bond for captive ordeal

A MAN was dragged inside a home and held captive for half an hour during a frightening incident in Geelong last Thursday.

Michael Reilly, 29, launched the morning attack after the victim — who was known to him — arrived at his front door.

The Geelong West man was yesterday sentenced to a good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to charges including false imprisonment.

The Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard the incident took place about 11.30am when the victim knocked on Reilly’s front door.

Prosecutor Senior Constable Kylie Jane said Reilly began yelling at the man before dragging him inside the unit and locking the doors.

She said the victim was fearing for his life as he was forced into a kitchen, where Reilly demanded money because he “needed” to travel to England.

Further demands were made for cash, with Reilly stating he wanted to go shopping and buy cigarettes.

Sen-Constable Jane said the victim was eventually able to escape after 30 minutes, however he had been left “extremely shaken” by the ordeal.

Police arrested Reilly later that day and noted he appeared to be mental impaired.

The court heard Reilly had a history of alcohol abuse, combined with mental health issues, including a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder.

Reilly also pleaded guilty yesterday to using a carriage service to threaten, which stemmed from a series of phone calls made to the owner of a Geelong plumbing business last year.

Sen-Constable Jane said Reilly had previously worked for the owner and had been owed $50. The court was told the victim had tried to pay the money but Reilly had not come to collect it, before calls were made labelling the owner a “dirty dog” and warning him of violence.

While being interviewed about the threats, Reilly told police: “I said I would bash the f--- out of him and bring him close to death.”

Defence lawyer Amanda Hurst said her client’s mental health had been deteriorating in recent times, though he was remorseful for his conduct.

“He wants me to tell you it’s been a very sobering experience sitting in the cells since Thursday,” Ms Hurst said.

Magistrate Ann McGarvie said it seemed obvious that Reilly’s offending occurred while he was unwell.

Reilly was sentenced to a 12-month good behaviour bond, without conviction, with an order to comply with directions from a community mental health team.