Alleged Bicycle Bandit Kym Parsons has ‘months to live’ and 252kg in silver bullion, court hears

The alleged Bicycle Bandit has stage four cancer, “months to live”, and was caught by a DNA match to his infamous getaway vehicle of choice, a court has heard.

The alleged Bicycle Bandit has stage four cancer, “months to live”, and was caught by a DNA match to his infamous getaway vehicle of choice, a court has heard.

On Monday, former SA Police officer and MFS firefighter Kym Parsons asked the Adelaide Magistrates Court to release him on bail, saying his condition is “palliative”.

Counsel for Mr Parsons said their client denied any involvement in the infamous decade-long crime spree.

They urged he be released so that he could undertake extensive chemotherapy and other treatment for the cancer in his lungs and eye that is spreading to his throat.

Former SA police officer Kym Parsons is led into court. Picture: Nine News

Victims of the Bicycle Bandit outside Adelaide Magistrates Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Kym Parsons is taken into court for his first appearance. Picture: 7NEWS

Police, however, said even home detention bail was inappropriate, given Mr Parsons may destroy vital evidence if released.

They said he had been matched to the crimes by a DNA hit on the Bandit’s bicycle – and, when arrested, had 252kg of silver bullion, valued at $277,000, in the shed of his million-dollar home.

CCTV images of the “Bicycle Bandit” carrying the distinctive SKK 7.62 rifle during the robberies. Picture: SA Police

Mr Parsons, 73, of O’Sullivan Beach, was arrested on Friday as a result of Operation Coy, a long-running investigation into the crime spree.

He was charged with 10 counts of aggravated robbery using a firearm and one count of attempted aggravated robbery.

The charges arise from the Bicycle Bandit’s holdup spree, which began at Mannum on May 21, 2004 and encompassed 11 robberies spanning the state until September 4, 2014.

In total, more than $250,000 was taken during the robberies – four of which the bandit fled from using a bicycle, prompting his nickname.

Prosecutors allege the robber used a Chinese semiautomatic SKK 7.62 rifle on each occasion to threaten staff and customers.

The same model of firearm was, they allege, found in the O’Sullivan’s Beach home.

Mr Parsons was an SA Police officer for seven years before the alleged offending and spent between 12-13 years with the MFS.

Kym Parsons’ home in O'Sullivan Beach. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Ammunition and six unregistered riffles, including an SKK 7.62 rifle, were allegedly found at the man’s home. Picture: SA Police

On Monday, an SA Police prosecutor said the case against Mr Parsons was too serious to warrant his release on bail.

“This arrest is the culmination of a series of bank robberies that occurred over 10 years, terrorising staff and customers,” she said.

“Mr Parsons has been identified using DNA located from two of the scenes. There was DNA located from blood that was left behind at one scene and, at the second scene a bicycle was located and DNA was found on it.”

She said police believed the SKK 7.62 rifle found at Mr Parsons’ home was the same rifle used in all 11 robberies.

She said officers had also found other firearms including an air rifle, a lever-action rifle and a self-loading rifle at the home, as well as a Taser.

“Officers also located, in a locked box in the shed, 252kg of silver bullion worth $277,000,” she said.

“Bail is opposed due to the seriousness of this offending and the potential for evidence to be destroyed.”

Counsel for Mr Parsons said her client should be released on home-detention bail.

“He’s currently diagnosed with stage four cancer and is palliative, he’s been told he has months to live,” she said.

“He’s currently undergoing quite extensive medical procedures, the cancer is in his lungs and eye, and he was due to start his treatment in relation to his eye tomorrow.”

She said Mr Parsons’ treatment plan included a wide range of medications as well as immunology and chemotherapy treatment at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

She said he was currently unable to swallow or eat while in custody due to the spread of the cancer.

“His condition is worsening and he is currently in acute pain,” she said.

“He poses no risk of absconding and is prepared to surrender his passport, provide a guarantor and lodge a cash surety.”

Magistrate Simon Smart ordered a home-detention report and remanded Mr Parsons in custody until next week.

“I assume when we come back you will be able to provide me with documentation supporting your client’s claims about his health,” he said.

The case was watched from the public gallery by a woman who was a victim in one of the Bicycle Bandit’s robberies.

She was supported in court by her older sister, and both declined to comment after the hearing.