Release fails with threat

A GEELONG man’s decision to threaten a bail justice for refusing to release him has backfired, resulting in further time locked up.

Spencer Holt, 32, appeared at Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday, hours after a tirade inside the city’s main police station.

A bail justice refused to grant bail to Holt on Tuesday, prompting the Norlane man to yell he would “punch his f---ing head in” when he saw him, the court was told.

He was remanded on Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges including threatening to inflict serious injury.

Despite the guilty plea, he claimed in court that he never threatened the victim.

“I told him to get f---ed when I didn’t get bail. That was all, your Honour,” he said.

Prosecutor Senior Constable Siobhan Daly said Holt was arrested in Thomson on Tuesday as police sought him for a taxi fare evasion and breaching an intervention order.

On Friday, he had been driven in a taxi to various locations, but only paid about half the $69 fare.

The court heard Holt was willing to pay the outstanding money, however, Magistrate Peter Mellas said he was more concerned with the threat made to the bail justice.

“He’s pleading guilty to a serious offence,” Mr Mellas said. “This isn’t just him venting some unhappiness.

“He’s made a threat in circumstances where he’s left a person . . . believing that’s what he’s going to do – that he’s going to punch his head in.”

The magistrate noted that bail justices were volunteers who provided a service.

Defence lawyer Sarah Wood said Holt’s outburst stemmed from his belief that police had mistreated him during previous stints in custody.

“This is just not your runof-the-mill person losing their temper when remanded,” Ms Wood said.

Holt, who has mental health issues, also pleaded guilty to deception and breaching an intervention order.

Mr Mellas said he was refusing bail because the offending warranted a jail term.

Holt will be assessed for a community correction order before returning to court next week.