Red Cliffs man Mandel Donnell found by police hiding under a blanket after more than 20 searches

A 31-year-old man allegedly gave police the run-around for weeks before being found under a blanket at a Red Cliffs address after more than 20 attempts to locate him by police.

Police claim they found Mandel Donnell hiding under a blanket in Red Cliffs after upwards of 20 searches for him. Picture: Supplied

A man accused of violent assaults and evading police for weeks was found hiding under a blanket at a Red Cliffs address, a court has heard.

Mandel Donnell, 31, fronted Mildura Magistrates’ Court seeking bail on several charges, including assault and failing to comply with bail conditions.

The court heard Mr Donnell, who was supported by his sister-in-law, allegedly provided false addresses during multiple police checks.
Police claimed he used family and friends to mislead officers, delaying his arrest despite more than 20 search attempts.

Mandel Donnell fronted Mildura Magistrates’ Court seeking bail

Police alleged Mr Donnell assaulted a woman at a Red Cliffs home in June, causing her to hit her head on a door.

On another occasion, he allegedly dragged a victim from bed, violently stomped on her shoulder, and yanked her by the hair when she tried to escape.

A bail address was put forward by Mr Donnell’s lawyer Hugh Middleton but was deemed inappropriate by Magistrate Patrick Southey.

Police claimed Mr Donnell was heavily affected by substances while he had allegedly been avoiding police, and said he had allegedly used family and friends to lie for him to avoid being discovered.

Mr Donnell was arrested after he was found by police hiding under a blanket at a Red Cliffs address

After he was arrested at a Red Cliffs address hiding under a blanket on Thursday, police claimed Mr Donnell pretended to be asleep when they interviewed him and flatly refused to answer any questions.

Mr Southey denied bail saying, “his problem is violence against women”.

“I’m not going to grant you bail today. At the moment you haven’t demonstrated compelling reasons and you’re at a completely unacceptable risk of failing to come to court,” Mr Southey said.

Mr Donnell was remanded in custody and is next due in court on January 8.