Moa Douglas Remelo Sam refused bail after allegedly assaulting, robbing people at CastleTown

A man refused bail after he allegedly harassed schoolgirls and robbed others at a Townsville shopping centre said he was “drugged” and “set up” in a bizarre outburst in court.

A MAN refused bail after he allegedly harassed schoolgirls and robbed others at a Townsville shopping centre said he was “drugged” and “set up” in a bizarre outburst in court.

Moa Douglas Remelo Sam, 33, is charged with 10 offences including robbery and common assault following a string of incidents at CastleTown Shopping Centre at Hyde Park on Thursday.

The man is alleged to have harassed schoolgirls, patrons and robbed others about 8.30am before he swam through the lakes and ran through people’s property to avoid capture.

After Magistrate Steven Mosch denied Sam bail on the grounds he was an unacceptable risk to the public, the alleged offender aired his concerns to the court.

Sam claimed police had spoken to him before the offending at the shopping centre and saw him with a bow and arrow.

“That’s pretty much the last thing that I remember because yesterday I don’t remember anything,” he said.

The man then accused police of not permitting a blood test.

“How am I (to) feel about that?” he said. “I’m going to plead not guilty to everything.

“You know what? I’m going to have you all sued for it.”

He then continued to question Mr Mosch’s decision to refuse him bail.

“Your Honour, I know a murderer that got bail. How can a murderer get bail, how can a rapist get bail?” he said,

“I’m not a rapist, I’m not a murderer. I was drugged and I was set up.”

Police Prosecutor Darryn Casson formally objected to bail.

Defence Solicitor Zoe Navarro argued her client should be bailed as he would return to Palm Island, where he resides with his brother.

“His intention is to immediately (visit) the … rehabilitation centre on Palm Island,” she said.

Ms Navarro said upon returning to the island he would be able to take part in a number of projects run by the elders.

Additionally, she said Sam was happy to abide by strict bail conditions which would prevent him from returning to Townsville unless it was for court.

She argued the support on Palm Island would be far greater than that in Townsville.

Mr Mosch told the court the offending was said to be all committed at the Townsville shopping centre over a period of less than an hour.

He said there were eight complainants, including two school girls aged 15 and 16.

“The allegations in relation to those school girls are particularly concerning,” Mr Mosch said.

Sam was refused bail and will next be before the courts on December 6.

Originally published as Moa Douglas Remelo Sam refused bail after allegedly assaulting, robbing people at CastleTown