Malachi Samuel Charles Fisher bail refused after angry mob hunt

A police prosecutor has raised concerns over the danger a young recidivist offender, who was hunted by an angry mob fed up with the state’s crime wave, faced if he was released on bail.

Malachi Samuel Charles Fisher, 18, made a bail application in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on May 8 after being charged with one count each of burglary, robbery by break, possession of drug utensils and drugs, stealing, possessing suspected stolen property and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

A police prosecutor has raised concern over the danger a young recidivist offender, who was hunted by an angry mob fed up with the state’s crime wave, faced if he was released on bail.

Malachi Samuel Charles Fisher, 18, made a bail application in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on May 8 after being charged with one count each of burglary, robbery by break, possession of drug utensils and drugs, stealing, possessing suspected stolen property and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Police prosecutor Brandon Selic said Mr Fisher, who had convictions for similar offences and was a recidivist offender, had allegedly carried out serious offences.

“There is a genuine concern Mr Fisher would be in danger if released on bail,” he told the court.

“Over the weekend, a mob went looking for Mr Fisher and somehow, certain members of the community had gotten ahold of the location of Mr Fisher and turned up to a private property where he was.

“He fled while police tried to hold back a large group of people.”

Mr Selic told the court Mr Fisher would be at risk if put back into the community, after a “private citizen put up a $5000 reward for information in regards to, not necessarily Mr Fisher’s location, but the location of people who were suspected of being involved with certain offences which Mr Fisher was allegedly involved in”.

The court heard Mr Fisher was allegedly involved in an incident where a stolen vehicle was used to smash into the BWS at Parkhurst on May 6 where a significant amount of alcohol was stolen, along with a break into a house where a watch was stolen.

It is alleged a stolen vehicle was used to smash into the BWS at Parkhurst on May 6 where a significant amount of alcohol was stolen.

Defence lawyer Brendan Gimbert said his client, who claims he didn’t break into the house but would plead guilty to most of the other offending, was on parole, along with a suspended sentence and probation, at the time.

He said Mr Fisher, who has a one-year-old child, wanted to live with his grandfather in Carlton Street, Kawana.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale said the danger factor was not the reason she refused to grant Mr Fisher bail – it was that he had not shown cause that being remanded in custody would be unjust as he was not at risk of serving too much time.

He was remanded in custody and his matters adjourned until May 29.

Originally published as Malachi Samuel Charles Fisher bail refused after angry mob hunt