Accused behind siege at Gold Coast unit complex claimed he’d ‘go out in blaze of glory’ - court

The identity of a person accused of starting an overnight siege has been revealed in court. Read why he allegedly did it

A man accused of starting an overnight siege at a unit complex on the Gold Coast claimed he was “going to go out in a blaze of glory”, a court has heard.

Mark Christopher Marson is facing a range of charges – including obstructing and seriously assaulting police – after allegedly refusing to leave a Brown St, Labrador home.

Police prosecutor Erin Garland told the Southport Magistrates Court that nearby residents in Labrador were forced to evacuate their homes as a result of the siege, unable to return overnight and into Wednesday morning.

Ms Garland said there was a “serious risk” thrust upon the multiple ambulance, police, and fire units who assisted in Marson’s arrest.

She said when police attempted to speak with Marson, they had “to retreat for their own safety”.

Gold Coast police were called to a unit on Brown Street in Labrador around 4.30pm on Tuesday because of a “disturbance”.

“These are extremely serious charges and the circumstances around those charges are also extremely serious,” Ms Garland said.

“He stated he was going to go out in a blaze of glory.”

The court was told Marson presented “homicidal and suicidal ideation”, making the “blaze of glory” comment in relation to a gas canister.

Defence lawyer Katherine Hanson, of Legal Aid Queensland, said Marson works in the general operations facility of a Queensland venue and that he’s a father of one.

“He also has some struggles with Asperger’s,” Ms Hanson said.

“I’d ask Your Honour to note that there’s no (criminal) history before the court (and) he’s had no previous behaviour of a like nature.”

When the siege on the Gold Coast on Wednesday entered its 11th hour.

Ms Garland said police opposed bail given the “unacceptable risk” to others’ safety.

“Police believe that the defendant has nowhere to live and that, if released, he would pose further risk … by returning to that address,” the prosecutor said.

“No bail condition would mitigate the risk that (Marson) poses.”

Acting Magistrate Sarah Thompson took these submissions into account but noted “these are extremely serious allegations”.

“(The) siege lasted for some 15 hours, there was threats, gas was released, there were a number of emergency services required (and) families had to evacuate,” the magistrate said.

“And that has to be balanced against (Marson’s) lack of history but, at this point, there are some real concerns … about his stability.

Police made an arrest a man after 16 hours at the scene.

“He didn’t surrender to police, it was (a specialist unit) that had to actually enter the house to be able to arrest (Marson).”

The court heard Court Liaison Service assessed Marson on Wednesday, noting concerns about his mental health.

Magistrate Thompson said given these concerns, “a further assessment is probably needed”.

“Perhaps this bail application is a bit premature,” Magistrate Thompson said.

Ms Hanson subsequently withdrew the application and Marson is set to reappear in court on Friday after he’s been assessed by a medical professional at Gold Coast University Hospital.

“I have decided to expedite, or speed up, the process of you seeing another mental health professional,” the magistrate explained to the accused.