Zafir Asgar: Alleged knife wielder faces court over threat to stab home staff
A Dandenong man got angry at emergency accommodation support staff when they asked him to leave, allegedly threatening to kill them.
South East
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A man accused of threatening to stab emergency accommodation workers because he was upset at being evicted from his support home has faced court.
Zafir Asgar allegedly terrified two staff members in a frightening knife rampage.
The court heard the pair were so scared they barricaded themselves in an office while awaiting police.
On Wednesday the online Dandenong Magistrates’ Court heard Asgar faces threats to kill, weapons and other charges.
The 27-year-old applied for bail but it was refused.
The court heard at Mayfair Lodge in Dandenong at around 7.20pm on January 30 this year two staff members went to Asgar’s room to evict him.
When he opened the door he allegedly pulled down a large knife from above the doorframe and lunged towards the workers.
Police allege he then gestured he would stab them, performing slashing motions in the air and shouting, in Hindi, that he was going to kill them.
They were petrified and ran away, locking themselves inside an office and calling police.
Officers arrived quickly and Asgar was arrested.
They searched him and his room, but couldn’t locate the weapon.
He was taken to hospital for a mental health assessment, was unfit to be interviewed and remanded in custody.
It was just two days later the alleged knife incident occurred.
Remand liaison officer Chris Marlow told the court police thought Asgar would be a “significant risk” to the community if he was bailed.
He said he was believed to be drug dependent, and his abuse of illicit substances aggravates his mental health issues.
Sgt Marlow said the alleged incident was traumatising for the staff members as they were “subjected to a high level of fear” and they were worried about their personal safety in the future.
Asgar’s lawyer Julian Murphy said there were concerns with the police case as the alleged weapon had not been located and an exact translation of the Hindi words used had not yet been done.
He said if bailed his client would be placed in accommodation and surrounded by support services to aid his drug and serious mental health issues.
Mr Murphy also said any court delays could extend beyond the term of any sentence imposed.
Magistrate Barry Schultz said while he accepted Asgar’s personal issues were difficult and complex, community safety was paramount.
“This bail application is one of the most concerning I have had to deal with in recent times,” Mr Schultz said.
“While I have the greatest sympathy for him ... I find he is an unacceptable risk of committing further offences (if released) on bail.”
Asgar was remanded in custody and will face court again on March 4.
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