A “dangerous criminal” will attend his mother’s funeral handcuffed and wearing his prison uniform after a Ballarat magistrate refused his bail application.
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Travis Scott, 32, applied for bail so he could support his family at his mother’s viewing on Wednesday afternoon and at her funeral on Thursday without being handcuffed.
Magistrate Gregory Robinson said if he granted bail, he needed to protect the community from Scott – who he described as a dangerous criminal – by having police officers supervise him at the funeral.
“There needs to be two police (officers) who stand behind a tree and can arrest him if he decides to make a run for it,” Mr Robinson said.
Mr Robinson said he thought Scott should have the opportunity to attend the viewing with his family
“I think the family should have the opportunity to give him some clothing and he’s not in his prison greens,” he said.
But the court was told there was not enough time to organise police supervision at the viewing and funeral.
Mr Robinson said he could therefore not grant Scott bail, given the seriousness of his alleged offending.
Scott is accused of threatening two witnesses in a trial with a shotgun at a Ballarat East house on October 11, 2016.
“I am sorry to family members who were hoping for a different result,” Mr Robinson said while Scott’s family sat quietly in the courtroom.
Defence barrister Simon Tan told the court Scott had permission to attend the funeral with prison officers but he had to be handcuffed.
“He wants to be there and support his family. He thinks being handcuffed is inappropriate,” Mr Tan said.
“We are asking for bail to be granted with conditions.”
Prosecutor David Gray, of the Office of Public Prosecutions, said Scott applied unsuccessfully for bail on May 3.
Scott and co-accused Jake Quinton, 20, are accused of using a firearm to intimidate witnesses in a trial.
They are facing 10 charges relating to the incident, including being a prohibited person who used a firearm, attempting to pervert the course of justice, aggravated burglary and harassing witnesses.
Scott faces additional charges from October 13, including possessing a firearm, possessing a controlled weapon without a lawful excuse and possessing a prohibited weapon (crossbow).
The pair will return to court on August 8.