‘Do what I say or I’m going to kill you’: Man on bail after threatening to kill

A man faced court on Wednesday after he allegedly threatened to kill a man and stole a motorbike claiming it was ‘collateral damage’ for an unpaid debt.

A man has been committed to stand trial after he allegedly threatened to kill a man and stole his motorbike claiming it was collateral damage for an unpaid debt.

Alen Stanojevic faced Brisbane Magistrates Court charged with one count for each, assault occasioning bodily harm, deprivation of liberty, extortion, fraud, armed robbery with actual violence, and unlawful use of motor vehicles.

Jason Scott Ovenstone told the committal hearing that Stanojevic allegedly ran at him with a carving knife and threatened to kill him on March 2, 2021 in a Mount Gravatt home.

Stanojevic said ‘do what I say or I’m going to kill you’, Mr Ovenstone alleged.

The court heard Mr Ovenstone owed Stanojevic $1000 for selling his concrete saw and this debt had not been repaid for more than a year.

It was alleged Stanojevic punched Mr Ovenstone in the head and scratch marks were left on his face from the knife.

Alen Stanojevic faced Brisbane Magistrates Court.

“He punched me in the left eye and I saw stars,” Mr Ovenstone said.

“I was just protecting myself from his punches and the knife … I did my best to defend myself”.

Mr Ovenstone said he never punched Stanojevic back.

The court heard, Stanojevic demanded Mr Ovenstone’s motorbike keys, so that the bike could be taken as collateral.

Magistrate Michael Quinn committed Stanojevic to stand trial in the district court.

Stanojevic‘s lawyer Annie Bryan made an application for bail which was opposed by the crown.

Crown prosecutor Lucas Davey said Stanojevic had an extensive criminal history.

Although the offending was rather low-level the defendant hadn’t learned from the criminal justice system and instead had continued to resort to criminal behaviour, Mr Davey said.

“There are three failures to appear …. and five occasions of breaching community or court orders,” Mr Davey said.

“It’s clear the defendant has shown an obvious disregard for court orders and is willing to continue to offend”.

The court heard Stanojevic demanded keys from Mr Ovenstone to take his motorbike as collateral.

Ms Bryan said there was conflicting evidence that weakened the Crown’s case.

Ms Bryan said there’s a witness who was present during the alleged offending and does not refer to a weapon being used at all.

“He has spent a considerable amount of time in custody since March 2021 and as a result of that he has spent over 438 days in preventive custody in relation to the offending,” Ms Bryan said.

“Further imprisonment would be unjust”.

Ms Bryan said Mr Stanojevic should be granted bail given the conflicting evidence and time served.

She proposed bail with a number of conditions including the use of a tracking anklet, random drug testing and curfew conditions.

Mr Stanojevic would have to report to the Morningside police station and would be prohibited from contacting anyone on the witness list.

Magistrate Michael Quinn granted Mr Stanojevic bail given the use of strict bail conditions.

The trial will be set at a later date.