Richard Pusey charged over late-night Fitzroy rooftop drama

Shocking details have emerged of the violence that allegedly exploded at Richard Pusey’s home and led to a five-hour stand-off.

Eastern Freeway Porsche driver who is accused of taunting and filming a dying policewoman has allegedly placed a noose around a ­female relative’s neck just hours before a dramatic rooftop standoff with heavily armed police.

Sordid details of former mortgage broker Richard Pusey’s personal life were aired in court documents after he was hit with a string of new serious charges on Monday over an ­alleged violent domestic disturbance.

The 42-year-old lives with his wife of 12 years, who has stayed silent and loyal since the April 22 police tragedy that thrust them both into the public spotlight.

Senior Constable Peter Willetts from the Melbourne Family Violence Investigation unit alleges Pusey threatened to kill a female relative, placed a noose around her neck and ­assaulted her.

Detectives also allege Pusey used a mobile phone to send “abusive and derogatory” text messages and phone calls.

Specialist police stormed Richard Pusey’s home during the late-night disturbance. Picture: Ian Currie

Richard Pusey on the roof of his home during a stand-off with police.

His wife was filmed on Monday outside their $3.4m warehouse hiding her face from onlookers.

She has stuck by her man throughout 2020, often giving the middle finger when approached by the media for comment.

It is also alleged Pusey broke his bail conditions by not presenting himself at the door during curfew hours when Victoria Police attended on Monday night.

Their visit was prompted by neighbours phoning triple-0, reporting him ranting and raving from his rooftop.

Pusey walked free from Ravenhall prison in October after six months behind bars for his role in the police tragedy, for which he was charged with reckless conduct endangering serious injury, reckless conduct endangering death and possessing a drug of dependence. Neighbours told the Herald Sun they had watched his antisocial behaviour escalating over the past fortnight.

A woman believed to Richard Pusey's partner at court in April. Picture: Tim Carrafa

On Tuesday, detectives returned to Pusey’s home to interview neighbours about what they had witnessed.

Two plain-clothed detectives went door-to-door to speak with several residents in the area.

Pusey faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday when his lawyer asked his client to see a doctor to update his medication.

He was remanded in custody and will next face court on January 15.

HOW ROOFTOP DRAMA UNFOLDED

Specialist police stormed Pusey’s $3.4m Fitzroy warehouse during the siege, which went from 9pm on Sunday until 2am Monday. It followed several reports of a wild rampage.

Mr Pusey, 42, on Monday night was charged with a raft of fresh offences over the incident, including threats to kill, false imprisonment, conduct endangering a person, common law assault, contravening condition of bail, committing an indictable offence while on bail and using a telecommunication service to harass.

He faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday night and was remanded in custody until at least January 15.

A lawyer acting for Mr Pusey said his client needed to see a doctor.

“He probably should be seen by the doctor just as a matter of precaution, to update his medication,” the lawyer said.

A repairman boards up a damaged door after police stormed the property. Picture: David Crosling

Police at the scene where Richard Pusey was involved in a dramatic confrontation. Picture: David Crosling

Mr Pusey was only released on bail with strict conditions in October after six months in prison for his alleged role in the police tragedy on the Eastern Freeway, in which four on-duty police officers were killed.

Neighbours revealed the ­ordeal lasted for several hours, starting with loud music blaring from his property.

Police were forced to ram through a roller door after he refused to let them into his property.

The Herald Sun spoke to dozens of neighbours who did not want their names used but who detailed weeks of disturbances from the house, with music and disco lights often playing into the early hours.

Their nightmare reached a shocking climax on Sunday when Mr Pusey, from the roof, faced off against police, with claims he repeatedly threatened to jump off the roof and begged police to shoot him while officers negotiated with him.

Police at the scene in Fitzroy. Picture: David Crosling

“The whole ordeal went on to about 2am,” one witness said.

Neighbours told the Herald Sun they had watched his anti-social behaviour escalating over the past fortnight.

“It definitely reached a head last night,” one neighbour said.

“The music was just blasting and there were lights flashing from inside the house.

“I woke up to hear shouting. I heard him say ‘you broke her heart’ over and over again. It was just rambling.”

Another local revealed how residents of the street had been left disgusted by his playboy antics, most recently including a Christmas Day “rave” session.

“The issue the neighbourhood has is that he plays what I’d describe as dance music ­really loud and late at night,” he said.

“All the neighbours want is peace and quiet, and to live without disturbance.”

Officers remained at the Fitzroy property on Monday morning. Picture: David Crosling

Police at the scene where a damaged door is boarded up. Picture: David Crosling

He added that police ­advised residents to keep away from Mr Pusey.

After his arrest he was taken to nearby St Vincent’s hospital with a “medical condition”.

A woman, ­believed to be Mr Pusey’s wife of 12 years, was at home at the time but was uninjured.

Mr Pusey’s lawyer, Chris McLennan, said on Monday his client was “lucid” and “seemed to be OK” after the incident.

Victoria Police said responding officers “held concerns for those involved”.

“Police cordoned off the area and officers negotiated with the man before he surrendered to police without incident,” a police spokeswoman said.

The Critical Incident ­Response team, which stormed his home, is a unit of specialised officers who ­respond to high-risk incidents involving dangerous or armed members of the public.

Police cordoned off the home on Monday as detectives investigated and combed the scene for evidence.

Mortgage broker Richard Pusey.

In October, Mr Pusey’s lawyer, Dermot Dann QC, argued his client had mental health problems that could be treated on his release, outlining a proposed treatment plan including psychological counselling.

Mr Pusey has been facing a string of charges, including reckless conduct endangering serious injury, reckless conduct endangering death and possessing a drug of dependence, over the Eastern Freeway crash.

He has pleaded not guilty over the horror crash.

Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Josh Prestney and Constable Glen Humphris died in the April 22 tragedy.

The officers had intercepted him for allegedly speeding on the freeway in his Porsche and were mowed down while in the emergency lane by truck driver Mohinder Singh.

It is alleged Mr Pusey went on a disgusting rant following the crash: “All I wanted to do was go home and have my sushi. Now you’ve f--ked my ­f--king car.”

Police had opposed Mr Pusey’s release, saying he was a “manipulative, controlling man”. He is due to stand trial in the County Court in February over the police tragedy.