The father of two young men accused of bashing a high-ranking Victorian policeman has been denied bail for allegedly intimidating the same officer on Facebook.
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Jared Pihlgren, 49, represented himself in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday night, charged with offences including using a carriage service to menace Assistant Commissioner Chris O'Neill.
His sons, 20-year-old Jay Stephens and 18-year-old Isaiah, allegedly assaulted Mr O'Neill near Melbourne's Heyington train station on Saturday.
They have been charged with intentionally and recklessly causing serious injury.After Pihlgren found out his sons were in custody, he allegedly wrote "I'd piss on you Chris O'Neill ya maggot dog," on Facebook, police told the court.
Mr Pihlgren is also accused of taking a photo of police while in court for an unrelated matter in February, and posting it to Facebook.
It is illegal to record court proceedings.
Police opposed Mr Pihlgren's bid for bail, saying he posed an unacceptable risk, including of reoffending.
"The accused has made it very clear that he has a strong hatred for police," informant Angie Le Sueur told the court.
"The type of wording the accused is using could incite other people to carry out threats against Victoria Police or Chris O'Neill."
Magistrate Robert Kumar agreed with police and refused bail.
Mr Pihlgren told the court "I wasn't directing it (the Facebook post) at Chris O'Neill".
"I was driven by ... grief and some of the threats made towards myself and my sons."
He said people had threatened to behead his children after news of their alleged attack on Mr O'Neill broke.
"I responded poorly, I responded immediately and I regret my actions."
The 49-year-old is due back in court next Friday.
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