Jason Melbon: Alleged escapee disruptive in custody as lawyer sought instructions

An inmate who allegedly escaped prison and stole a car before being arrested in dramatic fashion was initially unable to see his lawyer due to being “too violent”, a court has heard.

An inmate who allegedly escaped prison and stole a car in Sydney’s east before being arrested in dramatic fashion was initially unable to see his lawyer due to being “too violent”, a court has heard.

Jason Neil Melbon, 43, did not appear in person at Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday after he was charged with inmate escape from lawful custody, two counts of aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner and two counts of take and detain person with intent to obtain advantage.

Police allege the dangerous criminal, with a history of gun offences, put a chair up against an internal fence at Long Bay jail at Matraville and climbed over about midday on Monday.

As he allegedly jumped down the other side, he broke his ankle, hobbling to a nearby home where police claim he attacked a woman as she unloaded items from her car at her home on Esperance Cl, Little Bay and forced her back into her vehicle, telling her: “Drive me towards Brighton (le-Sands)”.

Jason Neil Melbon (pictured in 2008) allegedly made a daring prison break from Long Bay jail on Monday.

The woman, who is a medical professional, drove him across Sydney’s south before the vehicle came to a stop at Battye Ave, Beverley Park where she made a run and refused to give Melbon the keys.

Police sources said the woman then managed to call triple-0 and police were quickly on the scene, with Melbon arrested on the same street.

On Tuesday, Melbon’s lawyer Ms Chandler said she was told by corrective officers her client was “quite disruptive”.

It prompted Magistrate Philip Stewart to say “I’m not sure that’s the case” and queried whether anyone had spoken to Melbon yet.

“When I spoke to corrective [officers] downstairs … I’m told I cannot see him, I’m told he’s too violent,” Ms Chandler said.

Mr Stewart said whether Melbon was “too violent to come out of a cell” was a matter for corrective services and requested Ms Chandler to “renew” her request to speak to her client.

Police gather on Lilli Pilli Ave in Beverley Park after the arrest of a prison escapee nearby. Photo: TNV

The man escaped from Long Bay Correctional Complex in Matraville. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

After speaking to Melbon, Ms Chandler said she would not be applying for bail, instead asking Mr Stewart for the 43-year-old to “receive some medical attention” for “injuries he may have sustained to his legs”.

Melbon was wanted by NSW Police 15 years ago after he allegedly shot a woman in Botany, leading to a warrant for his arrest.

In the aftermath of that 2008 drama, he allegedly hijacked a car at gunpoint, throwing the female driver onto the road before speeding off.

Prison sources said Melbon had just 12 months left to serve before he was eligible for parole.

A Corrective Services spokesman said in a statement, Melbon was first noticed missing about 12.30pm and the centre was immediately placed into lockdown.

CSNSW said they would be reviewing the incident.

The matter will return to Downing Centre Local Court for brief status mention on October 12.