Bra Boy Jai Abberton claims mental health demons

Bra Boy Jai Abberton has been trying to “get his medication and housing stable” since he was hospitalised for mental health treatment, a court has heard.

• Bra Boy Jai Abberton hands himself into police
• ‘Bra Boy’ on bail for armed robbery

Bra Boy Jai Abberton has been trying to “get his medication and housing stable” since he was hospitalised for mental health treatment, a court has heard.

Abberton has been on bail since August over an alleged eastern suburbs home invasion in 2017.

It is understood he is defending the charges.

The 45-year-old, who shot to stardom along with brothers Koby, Sunny and Dakota when Russell Crowe narrated a documentary on their lives in 2007, allegedly failed to report to Kogarah Police Station for bail on December 29.

But his Legal Aid solicitor Jill Kiely told Parramatta Bail Court Abberton had recently been released from hospital to find his mother was not home.

“He found out his mother was away and could not return to his premises so was trying to arrange to stay with his aunt on the Central Coast.” Ms Kiely said.

Bra Boy Jai Abberton (centre) with brothers, who shot to fame when Russell Crowe narrated a documentary on their lives in 2007.

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Abberton handed himself into police on New Year’s Eve where prosecutors opposed his release saying it was the second time he had breached bail.

But Ms Kiely said shutdowns in parts of the court system over Christmas meant Abberton was unable to change his conditions and report for bail on the Central Coast.

“He ascertained the only way to get his bail varied was to get himself arrested,” Ms Kiely said.

“He is a man who has some mental health conditions which he’s been trying to get under control.”

Jai Abberton.

Appearing on screen from police cells in Surry Hills, Abberton thanked a court registrar as she approved his bail.

“Thank you your honour, you’re not going to see me in the courts again for this,” Abberton said. “I’ve had a child and turned my life around … I don’t want to come before the courts again.”

Abberton and two other men allegedly broke into the South Coogee flat and threatened Paul Winters in December 2017 — one of the men had a metal pole and meat cleaver was found in the kitchen.

He was charged in February with robbery while armed with offensive weapon cause wounding or grievous bodily harm, specially aggravated enter dwelling with intent to wound, and resist or hinder police officer in execution of duty.

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