Christopher ‘Badness’ Binse fails at attempt to shorten jail sentence

HE CHANGED his name to “Badness”, proposed to his wife in court and taunted cops with cards — is this our weirdest criminal?

ONE of Australia’s weirdest criminals has taught himself about the law in an attempt to reduce his jail time.

Christopher Binse, best known as “Badness”, is a notorious robber and one bizarre character who made crime his career.

He started referring to himself as Badness just so he’d have a memorable name to scrawl on Christmas cards.

Late last year he represented himself in the Court of Appeal, holding up a Criminal Legislation Victoria book and an article about gangland widow Judy Moran, claiming the reading material would help him fight for a reduced jail sentence.

But his studies were obviously not good enough and on Wednesday he lost his bid to cut his jail time over an armed robbery and siege.

Badness claimed his sentence of 18 years — for stealing $235,000 from Armaguard officers and shooting at police in a 44-hour siege — was excessive.

But the Court of Appeal said his armed robbery was in the worst category.

Is Christopher ‘Badness’ Binse Australia’s weirdest criminal. Picture: Mick Tsikas/AAP

HIS CRIMES

Badness has made almost $400,000 through his robberies.

He’s been compared to Wild West bandits and even Robin Hood.

The Herald Sun reported he used to give small amounts of money to drunks, churches and the homeless.

Earlier this year, Badness, 47, confessed to seven robberies in 1988, 1989 and 1991.

Fairfax Media reported that in November 1991 he robbed two security guards and stole $80,000 in Maribyrnong in Melbourne’s inner west.

A month later he held up a Commonwealth Bank in the same suburb and stole more than $200,000.

He robbed another bank in Chatswood in Sydney’s lower north shore the year after.

In March 2012 he stole $235,000 from Armaguard officers outside the Westside Tavern in Laverton in Melbourne’s southwest.

Two months later, Badness fired bullets at police out of a window during a siege that lasted 44 hours in Keilor East in Melbourne’s northwest.

Police ended the siege when they forced Badness out of the home with tear gas, he suffered through it for eight minutes before he gave up.

Badness was also an escape artist and attempted to flee custody eight times.

When he was 23 he was serving his punishment in St Vincent’s Hospital after being stabbed in Pentridge Prison.

According to the Herald Sun, he disguised himself in a green dressing gown and thongs, got hold of a smuggled handgun and held it to a prison officer’s head and said he didn’t want to be there anymore.

He then stole a car and made a break for it to NSW — he was caught within a week.

He’s only been out of custody for just four years since he was 13, and had 96 convictions by time he was 24.

He is serving at least 18 years and two months in jail for armed robbery and shooting at police and was classified a “high security risk” prisoner when sentenced in 2014.

Surveillance tape of robber Christopher Binse aka ‘Badness’ mounting counter during 1992 armed holdup at Chatswood's Commonwealth Bank.

THE PROPOSAL

Badness proved he was a real romantic when he yelled a proposal to his girlfriend from the prison docks.

In 2013, Badness was facing court over his crimes and when the magistrate adjourned the matter for a fourth time, he made the drastic love declaration.

He’d been kicked out of Melbourne Magistrates’ Court three times before because his shouting could not be controlled.

As he was being led away by prison guards, Badness yelled to his girlfriend something in another language.

While being dragged out of the court he told media it meant he loved her, and he just proposed.

The woman accepted the offer, how could she refuse?

Christopher ‘Badness’ Binse proposed to his girlfriend from prison docks in 2013.

THE FOILED TERROR PLAN

It turns out Badness had a streak of goodness, and ruined an inmate’s plan of a terror attack on Barwon prison, where he is currently serving his punishment.

Badness went undercover and learnt about the other prisoner’s plan to take a hostage and kill a prison guard.

Badness gathered intel and made his inmate believe he was on board with the plot.

In April it was revealed Badness received two letters at the beginning of last year from the inmate planning the attack.

Badness, who has been in jail for 28 years out of the past 33, warned authorities about the planned attack when he had enough information.

He reportedly started receiving threats from other inmates.

BADNESS IS BACK

Badness liked to keep police on their toes and left them cryptic notes when he was out of prison.

It was almost as if he wanted to get caught again.

One day after committing one of his many hold-ups, he put an ad in a newspaper saying “Badness is back”.

He also sent police a Christmas card and drew a picture of Santa Clause holding sacks of money.

Former armed squad boss Ray Watson told the Herald Sun Badness just liked to play games with them.

“He enjoyed his notoriety and media coverage he received,” Mr Watson said.

“He enjoyed taunting detectives ... he was a sinister individual; a bullyboy who saw himself as a misunderstood outlaw.

“There was a touch of Ned Kelly about Binse, as he saw it.”

Christopher ‘Badness’ Binse would taunt police.

THE COMPENSATION

In another bizarre twist of events, Badness launched court action against the state of Victoria.

He was after compensation for being stabbed in jail in 2006 and 2007.

In Barwon Prison on May 31, 2006, Badness claimed he was stabbed in the head, hand and legs in the exercise yard.

In 2007 he claims to have been injured with a kitchen knife at the Marngoneet Correctional Centre.

It was reported he was suing the County Court for damages for pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment to his life.

He said corrections staff did not protect him.

Badness first lodged the court action in 2011 and then tried again in 2014.

People Against Lenient Sentencing president Steve Medcraft told the Herald Sun Badness lost his rights when he went to prison.

“I have about as much sympathy for him as I do for Osama bin Laden,” he said.