Keegan Ostler applies for bail after allegedly pouring petrol in a Wauchope home, drug and weapon possession

A Kempsey man who was initially denied bail after pouring petrol on the floor of a Wauchope home, while in possession of drugs and a large hunting knife, has asked again to be released.

The Mid North Coast petrol bandit, who was initially denied bail, has asked the court to be released from prison to attend rehab.

The Mid North Coast petrol bandit, who was initially denied bail, has asked the court to be released from prison to attend rehab.

Keegan Ostler, 28, pleaded guilty to breaching his bail conditions to travel to Wauchope and cause damage to a home there – where a woman, who has known the offender since he was a child, currently resides.

Police claim Ostler was “showing a clear disregard for the bail conditions imposed by the court” when he committed the offence earlier this year.

According to court documents, it all started at 8.25am on June 11, when Ostler kicked down a door attached to the home and “broken it off its hinges”.

Two occupants were home at the time, and called 000 when they heard Ostler coming.

After gaining entry to the home, Ostler stood outside the bedroom door with a red plastic petrol container and poured liquid – which smelt strongly of petrol – on the wooden floor, police facts claim.

The female victim spoke with Ostler and offered to make him a coffee.

The petrol container was placed near the back door while Ostler sat on the dining room floor.

Police arrived on-scene, walked down the driveway and had “to physically lift the pedestrian door aside as it was no longer attached”.

Police moved the victims outside and called out to Ostler several times, but didn’t respond.

They entered the home to find Ostler sitting on the floor in the dining room, smoking a cigarette.

Once Ostler had put the cigarette out and moved outside, police arrested him while other officers cleared the rest of the house.

In the process, officers located a large hunting knife in a sheath on the floor where Ostler was sitting, as well as a black balaclava on the fridge which the female victim indicated the offender was wearing.

As police searched Ostler, they located a shoulder bag containing a set of scales, several small empty plastic satchels, and a small amount of ice.

When cautioned and questioned, Ostler claimed it was “bone powder”.

Police facts claim Ostler appeared to be under the influence of drugs, as he was “talking to himself, appeared distant at times, had troubles staying on track in conversations and, while in custody of police, began stripping of clothing and exhibiting jerky movements”.

He also told police the house belongs to his step mother and she had evicted the victims.

Ostler said she “gave him permission to kick the door in” and “it was rotten anyway”, according to agreed facts.

Firefighters attended the scene but were not able to detect fuel on the floor of the house.

In Port Macquarie Local Court last week, magistrate Georgina Darcy granted Ostler’s request, saying if he successfully completes the program it’ll indicate to the court that you have good prospects of rehabilitation.”

EARLIER

The infamous petrol bandit, who was initially denied bail, has asked the court to be released from prison to attend rehab.

Keegan Ostler, 28, pleaded guilty to breaching his bail conditions to travel to Wauchope and cause damage to a home there – where a woman, who has known the offender since he was a child, currently resides.

Police claim Ostler was “showing a clear disregard for the bail conditions imposed by the court” when he committed the offence earlier this year.

According to court documents, it all started at 8.25am on June 11, when Ostler kicked down a door attached to the home and “broken it off its hinges”.

Two occupants were home at the time, and called 000 when they heard Ostler coming.

After gaining entry to the home, Ostler stood outside the bedroom door with a red plastic petrol container and poured liquid – which smelt strongly of petrol – on the wooden floor, police facts claim.

The female victim spoke with Ostler and offered to make him a coffee.

The petrol container was placed near the back door while Ostler sat on the dining room floor.

Police arrived on-scene, walked down the driveway and had “to physically lift the pedestrian door aside as it was no longer attached”.

Police moved the victims outside and called out to Ostler several times, but didn’t respond.

They entered the home to find Ostler sitting on the floor in the dining room, smoking a cigarette.

Once Ostler had put the cigarette out and moved outside, police arrested him while other officers cleared the rest of the house.

In the process, officers located a large hunting knife in a sheath on the floor where Ostler was sitting, as well as a black balaclava on the fridge which the female victim indicated the offender was wearing.

As police searched Ostler, they located a shoulder bag containing a set of scales, several small empty plastic satchels, and a small amount of ice.

When cautioned and questioned, Ostler claimed it was “bone powder”.

Police facts claim Ostler appeared to be under the influence of drugs, as he was “talking to himself, appeared distant at times, had troubles staying on track in conversations and, while in custody of police, began stripping of clothing and exhibiting jerky movements”.

He also told police the house belongs to his step mother and she had evicted the victims.

Ostler said she “gave him permission to kick the door in” and “it was rotten anyway”, according to agreed facts.

Firefighters attended the scene but were not able to detect fuel on the floor of the house.

In Port Macquarie Local Court last week, magistrate Georgina Darcy granted Ostler’s request, saying if he successfully completes the program it’ll indicate to the court that you have good prospects of rehabilitation.”

EARLIER

Keegan Ostler appeared before magistrate Scott Nash in Kempsey Local Court yesterday for 10 alleged offences including:

• Police pursuit (not stop) - drive recklessly (second offence),
• Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period (second offence),
• Use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road,
• Three counts of possess prohibited drug,
• Three counts of possess/attempt to possess prescribed restricted substance, and
• Destroy or damage property equalling less than $2000.

A plea has not been entered yet.

While Ostler did not apply for bail, the magistrate formally refused it - this comes after the police initially bail refused the alleged offender on the weekend.

Ostler will reappear in Kempsey Local Court via video link next week.

EARLIER

Police claim an altercation erupted into a near-miss for a Wauchope resident after a 28-year-old man from Kempsey poured petrol all over the floor of their High St home.

On Saturday morning, a number of police – including three highway patrol vehicles, two unmarked police cars, and roughly half a dozen motorcycle officers – and two firetrucks reportedly attended a home near the former Thomas’ Friendly Butchery.

The home where the alleged offence took place over the weekend is located on Wauchope’s main road.

At around 9am, authorities were called to the scene after the occupant reported the offender allegedly breaking into and damaging the house.

“They’ve poured petrol on the floor,” Mid North Coast Police allege.

The home where the alleged offence took place is located on Wauchope’s main road, at 137 High St.

“It appears there was an altercation between a number of people earlier and, at a later time, the male has entered the (High St) house.

“(He) was in the process of speaking (arguing) with the occupants when police and the fire brigade arrived and the man was arrested.”

While arresting the man, officers allegedly located a large hunting knife and quantity of drugs on the offender’s person.

The man complied with authorities and was taken to Port Macquarie Police Station where he was charged with a number of crimes including malicious damage and possession of drug.

The man will appear before Kempsey Local Court on Wednesday.

Police have confirmed that the offender and victim are not related or in a domestic relationship.

He was bail refused by police over the weekend and will appear in Kempsey Local Court on Wednesday.

More to come.