David Shields: Accused CFA attacker claims firefighters causing ‘hell’

A man accused of attacking a volunteer firefighter who was attempting to douse an illegal burn-off has claimed he’s being hounded by “psychos” from the brigade.

A man accused of attacking a CFA volunteer who was attempting to put out an illegal burn-off has claimed he’s being hounded by “psycho” firefighters.

David Shields, 57, made the comments as he appeared in the Wodonga Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

The Sandy Creek man indicated he intended to plead not guilty to charges of assaulting an emergency service worker, resisting police and lighting a fire during a prohibited period.

“It’s been seven years of hell from these ice addict, schizophrenic psychos,” he said.

“No one is listening to us so I’ll let this (court case) run its course.”

Mr Shields is accused of assaulting a Sandy Creek fire brigade member on January 30 as the brigade attended a local property to put out a reported illegal burn.

Police were called to the property shortly after 9pm after Mr Shields allegedly began behaving aggressively.

Police used capsicum spray and tasers to subdue him.

In court, Mr Shields said two of the Brigade’s firefighters had “hounded” him over the past seven years.

“This has happened before by the same group of people for the last seven years they’ve hounded us and given us grief,” he said.

“Some of these aren’t false allegations but there are reasons they happened. They’ve got to leave us alone.”

He further claimed he did not start the fire and that the fire was on “crown” land, before requesting body-worn camera footage from the arresting police.

The case was adjourned to a contest mention on October 19 by Magistrate Peter Dunn, who said the matter would likely go to trial next year.