Bryce Robert Webbe in Rockhampton court for allegedly threatening mother

Allegedly wielding an axe and blow torch, a Central Queensland man is accused of harassing his frail mum in a scene straight out of a horror movie.

Bryce Robert Webbe allegedly threatened to “strip the flesh off” his “quite frail” 75-year-old mother and burn her house down, a court has heard.

A former soil laboratory manager and Central Queensland rail worker allegedly threatened to “strip the flesh off” his “quite frail” 75-year-old mother and burn her house down, a court has heard.

Bryce Robert Webbe made a bail application to stay at a motel in the same Central Queensland town where his mother resides, Clermont, in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on December 27.

He made the application after entering a plea of guilty on Boxing Day to one count of wilful damage and a plea of not guilty to one count of carrying out an act with intent to cause fear of bodily harm to a victim or damage to property.

Mr Webbe also appeared before the court with a fresh charge of wilful damage on December 27.

The court also heard Mr Webbe allegedly, moments before appearing in court on Boxing Day, tore up the clothing police had given him after his arrest.

Defence lawyer Rio Ramos said Mr Webbe had been taking care of his mother for the past year.

She said he had previously worked as a laboratory manager for Queensland soil, railroads in Queensland and the dam in Mackay, three hours north-east of Clermont.

Police prosecutor Saunders Matt Saunders said Mr Webbe had been convicted in April 2024 for going armed to cause fear after he confronted a victim with a rusty stick or rusty pole and made threats.

He was going to shove it “where the sun doesn’t shine” and then he went back inside the house and came out with a different pole.

He said Mr Webbe was placed on probation for that offence.

Mr Saunders said the objection to bail affidavit stated it was alleged the defendant had shown fluctuation in moods and behaviour.

He said it was also alleged Mr Webbe had “decided” his mother “watching the news was unhealthy” so he “removed her television” and also damaged property in the residence.

“He moved in with her and up until this incident, she was too fearful to engage with police about this issue,” Mr Saunders said.

Acting magistrate Paul Byrne said the allegations involved Mr Webbe causing “damage to the house extensively”, threatening “to kill his very elderly 75-year-old mother who had mobility issues” and is “quite frail”, so “she hid herself in the bedroom”.

“She was terrified,” he said.

Mr Byrne said Mr Webbe allegedly threatened his mother with an axe and blow torch when he told her he was going to “strip the flesh off her” and burn her house down.

He said police found an axe, crow bar and gas blow torch at the residence and Mr Webbe hiding under a bed when the arrived.

“The whole scenario is almost similar to a deprivation of liberty,” Mr Byrne said.

“You may well face further charges.”

He determined Mr Webbe was likely to reoffend if granted bail and there was a strong risk he would try to coerce his mother to tell a “different story” and refused his bail.

Mr Webbe was remanded in custody and his charges were adjourned to Mackay Magistrates Court on January 14.

Originally published as Bryce Robert Webbe in Rockhampton court for allegedly threatening mother