Joel Mark Wayne charged over bail breaches, alleged threats to Proserpine police

After a man was told off for crying and making excuses in court, his behaviour at the watch-house allegedly took a turn for the worse.

Joel Mark Wayne appeared at Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday, September 13, 2021 charged with breaching his bail conditions on September 10 and 11, 2021. Picture: Facebook

A Bloomsbury man who allegedly threatened to take a gun to Proserpine police station in between court appearances this week has had his bail revoked and will remain behind bars until October.

Joel Mark Wayne, 26, allegedly made overt threats to escape police custody before a hearing at Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday for bail breaches, then allegedly made further threats upon being remanded later that day, including that he would return to the police station with a firearm.

Police alerted Magistrate James Morton that Wayne was “causing dramas” at the watch-house on Monday morning and requested the use of body-worn cameras and handcuffs in escorting him to the courtroom dock.

There, Wayne cried, gesticulated, and placed his head in his hands as the court heard details of the two times he breached his bail and set off his ankle-monitor by arriving home late from his Airlie Beach scaffolding job.

The father-of-two pleaded guilty to the breaches but insisted his tardiness – of 1 hour and 40 minutes on one occasion – was the result of getting “stuck behind a cane train”.

“There was two – one at Prossie and one on the highway,” he told the court.

Wayne’s solicitor Peta Vernon told the court her client had tried to contact authorities each time to advise them he would be late, and said he was in no way “trying to hide”.

The court heard former Proserpine State High School student Joel Mark Wayne is facing charges including extortion, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and stealing. Picture: Facebook

Police prosecutor Jay Merchant argued Wayne’s bail should be revoked because he had a history of bail offences and had “thumbed his nose” at the opportunity to comply this time around.

Mr Merchant said Wayne was granted bail on “extremely” serious charges including extortion, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and stealing, and said his criminal history showed he was a “violent person”.

Magistrate James Morton told Wayne to “stop the crying” and fined him $400 for the breaches, with convictions recorded.

“When you were in here last time you had the tears, I don’t fall for the tears,” Mr Morton said.

“You’ve got a story for everything and an answer for everything.

“I put a tracking device on you for good reason. This is exactly how it works.”

Joel Mark Wayne appeared at Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday, September 13, 2021 charged with multiple bail breaches. Picture: Facebook

The application to revoke Wayne’s bail was adjourned to Wednesday, September 15, and he was taken back into custody.

When Wayne was being escorted back to the watch-house, Proserpine police officer-in-charge Sergeant Mark Flynn said the prisoner allegedly threatened to return to the police station with a firearm, then allegedly obstructed police and threatened to kick an officer in the head as they attempted to place him in a police vehicle.

Sgt Flynn said during a subsequent vehicle transport, Wayne allegedly repeatedly kicked the door of the police vehicle causing significant damage to the door.

These alleged incidents resulted in fresh charges for threatening violence, wilful damage, obstruct police, and assault police.

On Wednesday, Mr Morton revoked Wayne’s bail and adjourned his outstanding charges to Proserpine Magistrates Court on October 11.

Wayne will stay on remand at Capricornia Correctional Centre until that date.