A Warrnambool cannabis user suffering a psychosis, who attacked three people armed with machetes, has had his sentencing deferred until a mental health report can be finalised.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Brett McKean, 43, of Skene Street, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court to 12 charges.
He is expected to be sentenced on August 2.
Police said McKean was a regular cannabis user who had been renting a room from a friend at Skene Streets flats.
A woman and young child lived next door.
On February 10 this year McKean returned home after spending time with his children.
He believed there were three people on his roof who were threatening to kill him.
About 5pm he armed himself with a hunting knife and two machetes before leaving his unit and confronting people.
He ran at one man, who ran off before McKean charged towards another man, who was visiting the woman neighbour.
McKean slipped as he ran towards the man and one of the machetes went through a flywire screen door.
He then stabbed at the security door and one of the machetes came within 10 centimetres of the man's hip.
McKean banged on the walls and doors of the unit while the terrified occupants contacted police, scared he would smash his way in.
When police officers arrived they were confronted by McKean on the front lawn and drew their guns and tasers.
McKean was arrested, taken to hospital for assessment and admitted as an involuntary patient.
Police located another two swords, a compound bow and arrows, a cattle prod and an imitation gun in McKean's bedroom.
When arrested 11 days later on release from hospital, McKean said he thought his life was in danger.
In a victim impact statement the woman neighbour said she felt so unsafe she had been forced to move out.
The man said he couldn't sleep, when he did he had nightmares and he couldn't work for weeks.
McKean has already spent 120 days in custody and it's expected he will receive a significantly reduced sentence because of his mental health issues at the time of his offending.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.