Alleged Bicycle Bandit Kym Allen Parsons was terminally ill when five of 11 banks robbed, court told

A court has heard shocking new details about the alleged Bicycle Bandit – including claims he committed his crime spree while dying of cancer.

Alleged Bicycle Bandit Kym Allen Parsons. Picture: Nine News

The alleged Bicycle Bandit committed five of his armed robberies “while apparently terminal” with cancer and remains a threat if released on bail despite having less than a year to live, a court has heard.

On Monday, SA Police told the Adelaide Magistrates Court that Kym Allen Parsons had a hidden Taser in his dining room, a balaclava in his bedroom and a house full of guns when they arrested him last week.

A prosecutor said Mr Parsons’ advanced age and illness did not lessen the threat he posed to the community, given the former police officer and firefighter’s physical condition during the crime spree.

“Between 2007 and 2014, he committed five of his armed robberies while apparently having terminal cancer,” she said.

“Of the 11 robberies (in total), the 11th was the most serious … he was 64 at that time and, by his own admission in interviews with arresting officers, was battling cancer at that stage of his life.

“He shot at least three rounds in the Mount Pleasant bank, terrifying staff and customers, and it was the third time he had targeted that branch.

“Upon his arrest, there was a Taser concealed in his dining room, a balaclava and face mask in his bedroom and unregistered firearms in his house.”

Magistrate Simon Smart said a medical report indicated Mr Parsons had “less than a year to live”, but the prosecutor said that did not change her stance.

“We understand and accept he’s incredibly ill, but we say that in no way negates the risk he poses to the public – because he was also very ill when he committed these offences,” she said.

CCTV image of the Bicycle Bandit during one of the 11 robberies.

Mr Parsons, 73, of O’Sullivan Beach, was arrested and charged with 10 counts of aggravated robbery using a firearm and one count of attempted aggravated robbery.

Prosecutors alleged he was the Bicycle Bandit who robbed 11 banks between May 2004 and September 2014, stealing more than $250,000.

They opposed his release on bail, saying he was found in possession of the assault rifle used in the robberies and $272,000 in silver bullion, and may destroy evidence.

Mr Parsons’ counsel, however, said their client had stage 4 cancer and needed to be bailed to continue receiving both medical treatment and palliative care.

Ammunition and six unregistered riffles seized during Mr Parsons’ arrest. Picture: SA Police

On Monday, the prosecutor said Mr Parsons’ cancer could be treated in custody, meaning there was no reason to grant him bail.

Alda Shkambi, for Mr Parsons, said her client would go blind without ongoing specialist treatment for his eye cancer, and could eat nothing in custody but Weet-Bix due to his throat cancer.

She said prison treatment for those illnesses and his lung cancer was unsuitable, given the specific medication regimen he had to observe.

Ms Shkambi provided the court with medical documentation and RAH records confirming Mr Parsons’ ongoing treatment.

Her client’s family, she said, were prepared to lodge $20,000 with the court to guarantee his release.

“His family are quite distressed … he is a father, a grandfather and a great-grandfather,” she said.

“They are prepared to give Your Honour any surety required so that Mr Parsons is home for the last months of his life.”

Mr Smart noted Mr Parsons would not be asked to enter pleas to the charges until at least June next year, meaning a trial was unlikely before late 2025 or early 2026.

He granted Mr Parsons electronically-monitored home detention bail, ordering the family lodge the cash with the court before he was released.

The prosecutor, however, said she would challenge Mr Smart’s ruling in the Supreme Court – meaning Mr Parsons will remain in custody until that hearing on a date to be set.