court
A MAN had allegedly been searching for a police officer to steal a gun from so he could “start shooting”, when he rammed a divisional van patrolling Ballarat on Wednesday night, a court has heard.
Police claim Mark Krjutschkow-Wood had also been hearing voices telling him to hurt people prior to the rampage.
The 21-year-old was quickly refused bail in Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday, where he sat accompanied by two police officers in the dock.
Magistrate Kay Robertson told the Buninyong man she’d like him to “keep calm”, before remanding him to re-appear in the same court for another bail application next week.
Detective Senior Constable Jeff Highthorn gave evidence, telling the court Krjutschkow-Wood had taken a sleeping pill he’d never tried before and was agitated when he left home on Wednesday night.
He said Krjutschkow-Wood had been hearing voices and wanted to hurt somebody, and was actively searching for a police officer on foot because he knew they were trained for that kind of thing.
“He had the intent to find a policeman, grab his gun and start shooting,” Detective Highthorn said.
After driving around Ballarat, Krjutschkow-Wood spotted a police divisional van in Lydiard Street, then turned into the same street, ran a red light and crashed into a Hyundai Getz, police said.
The vehicle, driven by a 22-year-old woman, spun out of control.
Krjutschkow-Wood is then alleged to have driven towards the divisional van, smiling at a female police officer before turning sharply into the side of the van.
Detective Highthorn said the Buninyong man got out of his car and was yelling and screaming incoherently, and had to be subdued using capsicum spray.
“He just wanted to grab the policeman’s gun,” the detective said.
Krjutschkow-Wood was taken to Ballarat Base Hospital where he was sedated and placed under police guard.
Detective Highthorn said the accused was a long-term cannabis user, which he believed had contributed to the psychotic episode.
Representing himself in court, Krjutschkow-Wood said he would seek medical help if released, before apologising to the court.
“Sorry, I’m very shaken by this and I don’t know how to argue my case,” he said.
Magistrate Kay Robertson refused bail, saying she needed more evidence of a support system in place before she would release him.
“I’d like you to keep calm,” she said.
Krjutschkow-Wood is facing nine charges including making a threat to kill, failing to stop after an accident and three counts of reckless conduct endangering life.
Ms Robertson ordered that he reappear in the Ballarat Magistrate court on September 25.
