Geelong man Steven Coulson set fire, stole toys and turned on fire hydrants

While high on drugs, a Geelong man caused a “whole lot of chaos” at Geelong hospital, including setting fire to a nearby carpark, setting off fire hydrants and stealing toys from sick children.

Geelong man Steven Coulson was admitted to the University Hospital Geelong where he committed a “bizarre” string of crimes.

A Geelong man fled from hospital and went on a “bizarre” crime spree that saw him steal toys from kids, light a fire in a carpark and demand a woman hand over her car keys.

Steven Coulson fled Geelong hospital in June last year and immediately ran up to a woman sitting in her car.

The 39-year-old banged on the windows and told the woman to “get out of your car, give me your car, give me your stuff”.

The woman managed to drive off unharmed.

Coulson appeared at the Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to the attempted theft and several other charges linked to a strange set of crimes committed after he fled the hospital.

Coulson called triple-0 earlier in the day and appeared to be in a “hallucinogenic state” when he told the operator he had used drugs.

After the woman drove off, Coulson walked down Little Ryrie St and set off the fire hydrants causing “significant” water damage.

He set fire next to a nearby parked car by placing rubbish next to it and then returned to the hospital where he stole a jacket.

Coulson, who wasn’t wearing shoes, went into a room and threw dishwashing liquid around.

He turned on the taps and plugged the sink.

Coulson also took toys from the children’s ward before he was arrested by police and deemed unfit for an interview.

Coulson’s offending caused about $43,000 damage.

His lawyer, Hollie Lyons, said he had never been before a court before but “offended in quite a spectacular way”.

“It’s relatively bizarre offending.

“He was taken to the emergency (department) by ambulance, absconded from the emergency department and then a whole lot of chaos occurs after that,” Ms Lyons said.

Magistrate Simon Guthrie put Coulson on a diversion plan, meaning he will avoid conviction if he completes mental health treatment and counselling.

Coulson was also placed on a good-behaviour bond, meaning he cannot reoffend again in the next 12 months or he risks being resentenced.

Originally published as Geelong man Steven Coulson set fire, stole toys and turned on fire hydrants