Dandenong Magistrates’ Court: Dale Tillack asks to be arrested
A hardened jailbird left police scratching their heads when he rocked up to a southeast courthouse with a knife and asked to be arrested.
South East
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A man whose lawyer described him as “the most institutionalised” client she had ever represented has walked from jail.
Dale Tillack was jailed for seven days reckoned as time served in the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Monday after pleading guilty to carrying an offensive weapon inside court premises.
The court heard Tillack attended the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court with a steak knife in his bag before asking police officers to arrest him about 3.30pm on March 23.
The bizarre request came just one day after Tillack called Corrections Victoria from Monash Hospital and asked to be remanded, the prosecution said.
Tillack had a significant history of offending including theft, criminal damage, bail and drug offences, the court was told.
Tillack’s lawyer Louise Conwell said her client slipped into homelessness when he was 12.
Tillack suffers from an acquired brain injury and shows symptoms of a schizoaffective disorder, the court heard.
“He’s lived an extraordinarily troubled life … he’s the most institutionalised person I’ve ever acted for,” Ms Conwell said.
“On several occasions he has asked to be remanded … he’s of the view his mental health is treated successfully inside (prison).
“I can’t in good faith make a submission he should spend more time in custody.”
Magistrate Tony Burns noted Tillack’s “significantly traumatised” background and urged him to continue taking medication for his mental health on his release.
“That is the best for your health and the community, if you can do that,” he told Tillack.
Tillack, who spent 55 days in custody, was convicted and sentenced to a week’s imprisonment reckoned as time served.