A man has tried to climb from the dock in a Melbourne courtroom and threatened detectives moments after being sentenced by a judge to a long prison term.
Nathan Shane Bryans, 29, was restrained by a prison officer in the County Court and abused police immediately after Judge Irene Lawson had left the bench.
Judge Lawson had just jailed Bryans for 11 years with a minimum of eight years for charges that included aggravated burglary and culpable driving that involved the death of his mother.
Judge Lawson’s final sentencing remarks included that he had shown “real insight” into his conduct and that “while guarded”, there was “some reason for optimism” for his prospects of rehabilitation.
The moment she left the courtroom, Bryans made threatening remarks to police members in court and lifted a knee onto the edge of the dock before being stopped by the prison officer. He was led away as he continued to swear at and threatened police.
Bryans had earlier pleaded guilty to armed robbery and aggravated burglary from an incident in 2009 and, in an unrelated matter, to culpable driving and two charges of negligently causing serious injury in 2012.
He and two other men, armed with knives, a machete, a pistol and a sawn off rifle, terrified a couple in their Maribyrnong home and robbed them of about $100,000 of cash and jewellery.
The couple were bound and had guns put to the back of their heads and told they would be killed if they went to the police.
The court heard that after an accomplice implicated Bryans, he was arrested and charged over the incident, then was bailed and later failed to appear.
In October 2012, while affected by heroin and prescription drugs, Bryans lost control of his car and crashed head on into another vehicle, killing his mother and seriously injuring his brother and his girlfriend.
In her sentencing remarks, Judge Lawson noted the profound affect of the offences on the married couple, with the woman describing how she lived with “crippling fear and anxiety”.
Judge Lawson said that Bryans, a drug user who had undergone multiple traumas in his life, had expressed profound guilt and remorse over his mother’s death and had written a letter of apology for the earlier crimes.
She told him he had shown “real insight” into his conduct and was fortunate to have the support of his girlfriend.
Bryans has already served 536 says in pre sentence detention.
