Angelo Gargasoulas excused from appearing in Melbourne Magistrate’s Court due to injury
POLICE wanted the brother of the alleged Bourke St rampage to appear in court today. The magistrate was dumbfounded.
A MAGISTRATE has criticised police prosecutors for seeking an arrest warrant for the hospitalised brother of accused Bourke Street attacker Dimitrious Gargasoulas.
Angelo Gargasoulas is still recovering from a stabbing that preceded the deadly rampage that killed six people.
Magistrate Felicity Broughton on Tuesday criticised the police after the injured man failed to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on various charges, including property damage.
Ms Broughton said there was no basis for a warrant.
“Correct me if I’m wrong but he was the victim of a stabbing,” she told Senior Constable Col McColl.
“You don’t have to be Einstein to see that appears to be the situation.”
Sen-Constable McColl had earlier told the court he did not think Gargasoulas would appear for his mention.
“My understanding is he was in hospital,” he said.
“I have no instructions if he’s been released from there.” Ms Broughton said she would give authorities two extra days to check on his welfare.
“On the face of it, he is the victim of a very serious crime,” she said. “I would expect the police position to be fully understanding of that.”
She said police need to give the court information about how Gargasoulas’ case should proceed if he is still in hospital.
The matter will return to court on Thursday.