Christopher Hillman fronts court over unlawful imprisonment charges

A Melbourne man flipped the bird to a magistrate when he fronted court over allegedly showing up to a family’s house with a gun.

A Melbourne man accused of showing up at a family’s house with a gun threw a tantrum in court and left the room before he was committed to stand trial in the County Court.

Christopher Robert Hillman, 44, was committed to stand trial on charges including trespass, assault and unlawful imprisonment following a lengthy committal hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Hillman, who appeared via video link from prison, told the court he was not guilty of all charges.

The proceedings began with an outburst from the accused, who, after pacing about the room and muttering about people on the court link under his breath, swore at the magistrate and put up his middle finger.

Hillman then left the room and refused to come back to the hearing, despite being asked by prison guards. He eventually re-entered, over an hour later, so the hearing could continue.

He told the magistrate he needed a break because he “snapped” but was “all good” to continue.

The court heard from two people during the committal – one who said Hillman showed up to his Carrum Downs house with a gun days after he had witnessed an alleged shooting, as well as the police informant.

Christopher Hillman. Photo: Victoria Police

The witness was questioned about the day Hillman allegedly showed up at his house and asked for a ride on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.

He had been hanging out with two mates, while his family slept inside, when Hillman turned up.

The man’s mates were in the garage but he had stepped inside to grab his keys when he heard the gate “bang” and male voices at the side of his house.

He gave evidence he could hear a heated argument so stepped out his front door, where he saw Hillman.

Feeling afraid due to how predictable he believed Hillman to be, the man told the court he offered to give him his car or a lift but Hillman wanted to be driven.

He told the court Hillman had a pouch in his hand, that he assumed contained a gun as he had seen it before — a few days earlier during an alleged shooting.

“If I didn't who knows what would have happened...my first thought was to get him away from my family home,” he told the court.

The court heard Hillman allegedly pulled out the gun once the two men were in the car and he gave the man directions to turn “left and right” but never specifically told him where they were going.

When they pulled up Hillman allegedly said:

“Leave now you dog or stay and I’m going to have to take you hostage.”

The court heard the man made a statement to police on September 24 – three days after the incident.

While Hillman’s lawyer, William Blake, submitted the evidence was too weak for his client to be committed, Magistrate Kieran Gilligan said it was a matter for a jury.

Asked for his plea on Friday, Hillman said: “blah blah blah”, mimicked the magistrate and said he didn’t care before pleading not guilty.

Hillman was remanded in custody, while a directions hearing will take place in the County Court in August.