Nathan William Greenup faces Toowoomba Magistrates Court for alleged possession of cannabis

A bizarre scene unfolded in a Toowoomba court when a mud-covered man with a history of mental illness told a magistrate he wanted to represent himself despite being under a mystical spell cast by foreign agencies in the 80s.

The Toowoomba court house, police station, and watch house. Picture: Peta McEachern

A bizarre scene unfolded in a Toowoomba court when a man, with a history of mental illness, told a magistrate he wanted to represent himself but he’d been under a mystical spell for the past four decades.

When Nathan William Greenup was called to the bar table of Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday afternoon, January 16, magistrate Louise Shephard asked what he planned to do with his one charge before the court, which was the alleged possession of cannabis.

Mr Greenup responded by telling Ms Shephard he had an “interesting predicament” for her.

“I have been on a long journey and it’s very nice to present myself to court today,” Mr Greenup began while gesturing to his dishevelled and mud-laden clothing.

“In the 80s there was propaganda of physiological warfare (so) it’s quite difficult to represent myself as I’m under voodoo or witchcraft from foreign governments and foreign churches.

“But I will try my best to represent myself.”

Police charged Nathan William Greenup with allegedly possessing weed - which he denies.

Ms Shephard asked Mr Greenup to pause and take a seat, so she could stand the matter down.

“I’m going to get you to speak to the duty lawyer because I would like to have you referred to the… court liaison service’s mental health people,” she told Mr Greenup.

Mr Greenup told the court he was a patient at the Toowoomba Hospital’s mental health unit.

“The thing is, with psychiatry it’s impossible, you can’t, if you try to study someone’s brain you become kooky,” he said in defence of his condition.

“The brain is not understood by someone else’s (brain, for example) I can look into your face and try to get a resemblance of what you’re thinking or feeling…”

Ms Shephard cut Mr Greenup off and asked him if he would be willing to talk to the duty lawyer despite wanting to represent himself.

“I’m not going to finalise your matter today... I take the view you’re not fit to give instructions,” she said.

Mr Greenup said he underwent two separate psychiatric assessments in the past, both of which deemed him a fit person to stand trial, however he was open to speaking with legal representation.

“I understand a trial, I understand the law, I understand my condition,” he said.

After the court adjourned for morning tea, solicitor Alysha Jacobsen met with Mr Greenup as a friend of the court.

The Toowoomba Court House. Toowoomba City police station watchhouse. Picture: Peta McEachern

Ms Jacobsen confirmed Mr Greenup was contesting the charge, and told Ms Shephard the last mental health assessment on the court’s file was from 2020, however a more recent report may have occurred in the Brisbane jurisdiction.

Ms Shephard said she would not be satisfied with a dated mental health assessment and again told Mr Greenup his matter would not be finalised that day.

“You might know what you want to do, but it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen - ultimately it’s the court that makes the decision - I don’t need to hear anymore,” she told him.

Ms Shephard told the court she did not have the power to refer Mr Greenup to the Court Liaison Service, and police prosecutor Tim Hutton said his office could not make such an order either.

“I’m somewhat mystified as to why it wasn’t done at the time, which I believe is when the police had the power to do it – I apologise for that,” Sergeant Hutton said.

However, Mr Greenup said he would consent to Ms Jacobsen making the referral on his behalf.

When the matter is next mentioned at court on April 17, a report on Mr Greenup’s fitness and sound of mind was likely to be completed.

Originally published as Nathan William Greenup faces Toowoomba Magistrates Court for alleged possession of cannabis