Kevin Richards: Knife threat to kids, parents on Frankston beach
Happy-go-lucky families loving the Frankston foreshore life were terrified when an erratic man brandishing a blade lunged at them.
South East
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A knife-wielding man who threatened parents and kids enjoying a warm evening at a Frankston beach has been jailed.
Kevin William Richards brandished the blade and lunged towards beachgoers, getting to within 30cm of one adult’s throat before police came and overpowered him.
Richards, who is homeless and often sleeps rough on foreshore beaches, also kicked in a glass door at a Frankston pub and graffitied a police divvy van.
He pleaded guilty to affray, criminal damage and weapons charges at the online Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
He also admitted beaching a three-month community corrections order imposed in November last year for weapons and public disorder offending.
The court heard at around 6pm on March 2 this year Richards was at the beach near the Frankston Yacht Club.
He approached families armed with a knife, randomly threatening adults and children.
Police officers arrived and arrested him and he was remanded in custody.
On January 9 this year just as the Pines Forest Aquatic Centre was closing Richards walked in.
He was told to go as they were in the process of shutting, but he refused to leave.
Police were called due to his unusual behaviour, and when arrested he graffitied the inside of the divvy van, requiring $500 worth of repairs.
On December 30 last year Richards was acting erratically around The Grand hotel in Frankston when he was asked to move on.
He refused and kicked out a glass door, causing another $500 worth of damage.
His defence lawyer said Richards struggled with chronic mental health issues and a lack of accommodation, and was incapable of completing court orders.
Magistrate Fiona Stewart said it was a difficult sentencing exercise to give a penalty to a man who was so unwell while also protecting the community.
“Affray is the most serious charge as it involves young people, children, who would have been incredibly affected,” Ms Stewart said.
“Your combination of mental illness and weapons is very disturbing,
“You are in and out of custody all the time, (prison) is a revolving door (for you).”
Richards was jailed for three months minus 59 days he has already served, and ordered to pay $1000 in restitution.
