Seige: Police scale a fence during Tuesday’s drama.
KIM WATERS
A MAN in police custody after allegedly sparking a siege in Newcomb “wants to go home and have a sleep”, a court heard on Wednesday.
John Simpson-White, 40, of Lindsay St, Newcomb, appeared in Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday in a white blanket with a hood over his head.
Detective Senior Constable Mark Woodhead told the court Mr Simpson-White and a female acquaintance left his home at 11am Tuesday morning to walk to a friend’s house on Helms Rd.
Mr Simpson-White waved a “black imitation revolver” at pedestrians along the way, the court heard. On the way back he allegedly held the revolver against an elderly woman.
Sen Const Woodhead said Mr Simpson-White then brandished the fake gun at two cars before running into the middle of the road and pointing it at a female driver who swerved to avoid him.
He also pushed the weapon into the stomach of a man while demanding a cigarette, Sen Cont Woodhead said.
Police responded, surrounding Mr Simpson-White’s unit and ordering students and staff at a nearby primary school to keep indoors.
Police arrested him without incident and found the imitation firearm in the backyard, the court heard.
Lawyer Michael Brugman, for Mr Simpson-White, said his client received fortnightly injections for schizophrenia.
Mr Brugman said the “firearm” was actually a $2 gas firelighter.
Mr Brugman asked magistrate Ian Von Einem to consider releasing Mr Simpson-White from custody.
“He just wants to go home and have a sleep.”
Mr Von Einem denied bail.
“To let him go out the door would be irresponsible,” he said.
