Corio family’s knife terror

Dad given bail over kill threat charges

POLICE say it was sheer luck that someone wasn’t killed when a man allegedly ran at his family with a knife during a terrifying incident in Corio this week.

Four people, including two children, took refuge inside a bedroom after their father allegedly armed himself with a large kitchen knife.

The 58-year-old man was granted bail at Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday despite police fears for the family’s safety.

Detective Senior Constable Jacob Horvath said police were called to the family’s home on Tuesday evening.

The court heard a dispute erupted after the man confronted his adult son about a range of issues, including a belief that he had a new girlfriend every week.

Other members of the family became involved as the argument intensified, before the man and his son threw punches at each other.

It is alleged the man then armed himself with a kitchen knife before running back towards the bedroom as the family fled inside and shut the door.

Sen-Constable Horvath said the man started banging on the door in a bid to open it, before smashing plates and other crockery.

Police were called and arrived to find the man in an unconscious state with blood coming from his head.

A knife was also retrieved with blood on it.

The man was taken to Geelong hospital under police guard, before being charged with offences including making threats to kill.

Sen-Constable Horvath opposed bail, arguing the man had an inability to control his anger and that his alleged offending was particularly serious given the presence of a knife.

“The accused has shown an extreme propensity for violence in a single act that required every occupant of the house to take refuge in terror,” he said.

“Police believe it was only a matter of luck somebody wasn’t fatally struck or seriously wounded.”

Defence lawyer Ronald Davis said the man’s age would put his health at risk if he was placed in custody given the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the man was welcome to live with another relative in Lara.

Magistrate Simon Guthrie chose to grant bail after finding the man’s risk in the community could be reduced to an acceptable level through strict conditions.

“It wasn’t an easy decision,” Mr Guthrie said.

The man must abide by a curfew and not contact any of the alleged victims.

He must also remain in Victoria and not attend any points of international departure.

He will return to court in August.