Adam Bray granted bail for allegedly stabbing an officer

A man who allegedly attempted to murder a police officer with a knife held “a range of unusual beliefs” and viewed himself as a “sovereign citizen”, a court has heard.

Golden Beach Way, Torquay where a man was arrested for attempted murder after stabbing a police officer. Picture: Brad Fleet

A man who allegedly attempted to murder a police officer in Torquay “held a range of unusual beliefs” and viewed himself as a sovereign citizen, a court has heard.

Adam Bray, 50, of Torquay, is charged with attempted murder, assaulting a police officer on duty, and assaulting an emergency worker on duty and appeared in the Supreme Court in Melbourne for a bail application.

A statement of court facts said on November 28, 2022, mental health clinicians went to Bray’s home after they received calls from his family who were concerned for his safety. However when the clinicians arrived at his home, Bray was aggressive so they left.

Crown prosecutor Erik Dober said later in the day two clinicians returned to the home with the additional support of ambulance officers and four police officers.

“When they arrived at his home Bray rushed one of the officers and was yelling while holding a large hunting knife,” Mr Dober said.

The officer pepper sprayed Bray, before falling backwards where a physical altercation took place. The court was told Bray allegedly lunged towards the officer and began to swing the knife at him.

The officer suffered stab wounds to his hip, fingers and arm and was taken to Geelong Hospital, where he underwent plastic surgery for his injuries and remained there for a number of days.

Golden Beach Way, Torquay where a man was arrested for attempted murder after stabbing a police officer. Picture: Brad Fleet

Appearing before the Supreme Court in Melbourne, Judge Rita Incerti labelled the alleged offending as extremely serious and said it was fortunate the officer didn’t receive more significant injuries.

Judge Incerti said there was no dispute that the incident occurred in circumstances where the applicant’s mental health had significantly deteriorated.

The court heard that Bray held a range of unusual beliefs which became more extreme and these beliefs were associated with withdrawal from society and altered behaviour.

“The applicant suffered from profound psychosocial decline, had no real relationships, had no employment and was dependent on his mother and sister to survive,” Judge Incerti said.

“He believed that he was being targeted by a social machine, and became concerned that television was a form of control which used electromagnetic radiation.

“He became preoccupied with impurities such as fluoride in water, as a result of which he would not shower and would only brush his teeth monthly. He became interested in ‘natural law’, Israelites, and the sovereign citizen movement,” she said.

Taking into account the 218 days Bray had spent in custody and the potential for extensive further days following a committal mention, Judge Incerti decided to grant bail under strict conditions.

“If the applicant is not bailed now, his period in custody will exceed any prison sentence imposed were the mental impairment defence to be available to him,” she said.

He will front the Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Originally published as Adam Bray granted bail for allegedly stabbing an officer