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Domenico Natale is accused of shooting up a brothel and then himself

AN ANGRY Italian dressed in red velvet and accused of trying to shoot a sex worker has lashed out at a female reporter outside court.

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DRAPED in red velvet, accused gunman Domenico Natale has lashed out in his native tongue at a female reporter outside court.

The 88-year old Italian had just fronted a magistrate over allegations he tried to kill a sex worker with a shotgun.

Domenico Natale leaves the Melbourne County Court, where he fronted a magistrate over allegations he tried to kill a sex worker with a shotgun. Picture: AAP/David Crosling
Domenico Natale leaves the Melbourne County Court, where he fronted a magistrate over allegations he tried to kill a sex worker with a shotgun. Picture: AAP/David Crosling
Domenico Natale leaves the Melbourne County Court. Picture: AAP/David Crosling
Domenico Natale leaves the Melbourne County Court. Picture: AAP/David Crosling

He was in no mood to answer questions about the ugly incident last July at a Brunswick bordello.

As Mr Natale left the County Court he appeared to launch a tirade at a television reporter.

His barrister John O’Sullivan reckons his client may not be playing with a full deck of cards.

He has been charged with attempted murder and stalking offences after allegedly shooting up the Romantics brothel.

The Taylors Lakes man is accused of firing multiple shots at the establishment while a terrified woman ran for her life.

Domenico Natale lashed out in his native tongue at a female reporter outside Melbourne County Court. Picture: AAP/David Crosling
Domenico Natale lashed out in his native tongue at a female reporter outside Melbourne County Court. Picture: AAP/David Crosling

Police say he fired shots at the front door and fence of the Colebrook St brothel about 9.50am on July 21.

The Herald Sun understands he aimed at a woman who was at the premises, but she escaped unharmed.

He then turned the shotgun on himself, blasting himself in the stomach.

Mr Natale was arrested after pulling his car over to the side of the road as he bled out from the wound.

Mr Natale was taken to hospital after shooting himself. Picture: Seven News
Mr Natale was taken to hospital after shooting himself. Picture: Seven News

Officers searched the man’s small brick unit at the time, where it’s understood they discovered a note left by Mr Natale.

He faces charges of attempted murder, conduct endangering life, conduct endangering serious injury, stalking, unlawful assault and firearms offences.

Mr O’Sullivan said his client needed to be psychologically assessed to see whether he was suffering a mental impairment at the time or was in fact unfit to plead to the charges due to mental illness.

His bail to live with his son in Cobram was extended and he will reappear in court in January.

wayne.flower@news.com.au

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/domenico-natale-is-accused-of-shooting-up-a-brothel-and-then-himself/news-story/2364fdc350ffb518e19af304227a59f5