A 25-YEAR-OLD man who shaped up to his mother and threatened to torch their home use is being assessed for a community corrections order.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
James Martelloni, 25, of Henry Street, Warrnambool, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court to threatening to destroy property, criminal damage and two counts of unlawful assault.
Magistrate Cynthia Toose ordered Martelloni to be assessed for his suitability to do a CCO.
She said mental health issues were very difficult and complex and Martelloni had to take the advice of experienced practitioners.
“Self medicating with alcohol and drugs does not work,” she said, noting that if police were not called and Martelloni lit a fire the results could have been catastrophic.
The magistrate said she was not going to release Martelloni back into the community unless he was going to take his medication.
She said he had a responsibility to himself and his family.
“Self medicating is not the answer,” Ms Toose said.
Police said that Martelloni became verbally aggressive to his mother about 7pm on Wednesday this week, he swore at her and she questioned whether he had been taking drugs.
Martelloni said he had only been taking prescription medication, but he was angry he was questioned about drugs and shaped up to his mother.
He threw a remote control, was asked to leave the home but went and got two fuel containers before threatening to burn the home.
He also smashed a glass door.
Police attended and found the mother was concerned for her safety.
She said her son’s behaviour had been escalating, he suffered anxiety and depression and had recently been diagnosed with ADHD.
The mother said her son sometimes forgot he had taken his medication, doubled up and then ran out of medication, which led to volatile behaviour.
She said this was the third episode this year.
He was previously in trouble after offending at a doctors’ clinic.
Defence counsel Jack Rabl said his client had been involved in unacceptable and frightening behaviour.
He said Martelloni was distressed about his behaviour.
The solicitor said Martelloni had a back injury three years ago, he became addicted to pain medication and his father died in tragic circumstances.