Subject of AOS callout in custody

A MAN who allegedly threatened supermarket staff and sparked an Armed Offenders Squad callout had a brief taste of freedom but is now behind bars

The 27yearold appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday on charges of threatening to do grievous bodily harm to employees of Mosgiel Countdown, intimidation, possession of a flick knife, aggravated assault of a police officer and dishonestly taking a mountain bike.

After being arrested on Monday, it is understood the defendant was assessed by clinicians at the Southern District Health Board.

While in their custody, it is alleged the defendant intentionally damaged a mattress, assaulted a man and threatened to kill a woman.

Despite that, the court heard, he was discharged from a facility yesterday morning.

The decision caused Judge Kevin Phillips alarm.

‘‘I wonder why,’’ he said. ‘‘And I wonder why the court was not informed.’’

The defendant climbed slowly into the dock yesterday, wincing in pain.

The man had been in a car accident earlier in the day, duty lawyer Max Winders explained.

The defendant and a woman — who was not charged — were apprehended in Mosgiel’s Memorial Park on Monday after police swarmed the area.

Witnesses said the man was on a bike while his associate was riding a scooter.

At least one school, Taieri College, was locked down during the lunchtime incident.

A Countdown spokeswoman said staff were shaken, but safe.

‘‘Everyone is being offered support, including counselling.’’

Judge Phillips granted the defendant interim name suppression while a lawyer was assigned.

He was remanded in custody by consent and will be back in court next week.