Corio man Jake Mouat claims self defence in alleged manslaughter of Indigenous artist Sheldon Broderick

A Corio man who allegedly killed an Indigenous artist outside a fish and chip shop, told a court it was in self defence after the alleged victim’s “irrational” behaviour.

Sheldon Broderick was allegedly killed outside a Corio fish and chip shop in June this year by Geelong father Jake Mouat.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that the following story contains images of a deceased person.

An Indigenous artist was acting irrationally and high on a cocktail of drugs when he was allegedly killed by a Corio dad outside a fish and chip shop, a court has been told.

Jake Mouat, 32, told the Geelong Magistrates Court on Friday that he was acting in self-defence when he beat local artist Sheldon Broderick with a “batlike” weapon on June 20 this year.

Mr Mouat is charged with manslaughter.

It was alleged Mr Broderick was attempting to steal a Barwon Health Foundation tin containing $15 from Rays Fish and Chip and Pizza Shop when he was confronted by Mr Mouat.

Mr Broderick was taken to hospital but died three days later.

Sheldon Broderick died following an altercation at a fish and chip shop in Corio.

Mr Mouat’s lawyer, Paul Stefanovic, told the court his client responded to Mr Broderick’s “irrational” behaviour and referred to a post-mortem report that found cannabis, ketamine and methamphetamine.

“We know from the post mortem that numerous illicit drugs were located in his system,” Mr Stefanovic said.

“My client has acted in a certain way in response to the irrational behaviour of the man who is now deceased.

“This lends support to the self-defence argument.”

Mr Broderick’s daughter, Schehara Broderick, told the Geelong Advertiser in July that her dad was a “hero” and he was “a good dad when he was there”.

“He just had a heart of gold,” she added.

Mr Stefanovic was seeking to cross-examine the toxicologist on the report to determine how the drugs affected Mr Broderick.

Magistrate John Bentley said Mr Stefanovic had failed to convince the court but said he could bring it up again at the next hearing.

“You’re speculating. It’s clearly speculation,” Mr Bentley said.

Mr Mouat will return to the court for a committal mention in March.

Originally published as Corio man Jake Mouat claims self defence in alleged manslaughter of Indigenous artist Sheldon Broderick