Shepparton man Brayden Donnelly allegedly assaulted police officer

Police officers or a man being arrested “could’ve been killed”, a magistrate has said, after an alleged altercation involving a multitude of weapons including tasers, knives, batons and guns.

A Shepparton man allegedly used a knife to threaten police officers with injury to avoid being arrested. Picture: Olena Sakhatska/iStock

Police officers or a man being arrested “could’ve been killed”, a magistrate has said, after an alleged altercation involving tasers, knives, batons and guns.

Brayden Donnelly appeared in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to apply for bail facing 16 charges including assaulting emergency workers and threatening injury to prevent arrest.

Police were patrolling Watson St in Shepparton on February 5 after multiple triple-0 callers reported a man allegedly walking around with a knife.

Officers spotted him in the middle of the road, allegedly carrying the blade and an extendible baton.

They gave chase when he refused to drop the weapons, the court was told.

Mr Donnelly allegedly threatened police multiple times, forcing one officer to draw his gun and others to deploy their tasers.

The court heard the 31-year-old also allegedly swung his baton at police, narrowly missing an officer’s leg.

Brayden Donnelly was allegedly carrying an extendible baton when he allegedly threatened police officers who were trying to apprehend him. Picture: Marc McCormack

After another short chase, Mr Donnelly stopped and surrendered the weapons, the court was told.

He was arrested and has been in custody since.

The court heard the Shepparton man had been bailed just days earlier for drug charges as well as failing to stop a vehicle on police direction.

Brayden Donnelly appeared via video link at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to apply for bail. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Defence lawyer Luke Slater said Mr Donnelly’s personal circumstances were somewhat tragic and he did not intend to contest the charges when the time came.

Magistrate Allison Vaughan said “either party could’ve been killed that day”.

“The police handled themselves exceptionally well and were exceptionally restrained particularly when the taser didn’t work,” she said.

The court heard Mr Donnelly suffered from schizophrenia and had not been taking his medication for about seven weeks when the alleged altercation occurred.

In considering bail, Ms Vaughan said she did not believe the Court Integrated Services Program (CISP) would be enough to support Mr Donnelly if he was released.

“From everything I have seen and heard, when he is not properly medicated he is a terribly unwell person and the risk to community is overwhelming,” she said.

“I do think Mr Donnelly would benefit from long term supervision of the court but I can’t risk community safety whilst he sorts that out.”

Ms Vaughan requested more medical information be presented and adjourned the matter to April 16.