A man facing charges at Darwin local court this week was forced to watch video evidence of his conduct on the bus network during proceedings for charges of assault and disorderly conduct.
Holtze prisoner Brian Fisher portrayed a very different figure over the video link, to the volatile and reactionary thug featured in the video clips played before the court.
Fisher's defence barrister indicated there were mitigating factors including a potential mental health diagnosis in their client's case, but was unable to produce the paperwork or supporting treatment plan at the hearing attended by Mango.
In one of the CCTV clips played in court, Fisher and his partner can be heard yelling that he has mental health issues and ADHD.
In other cases before the courts involving diagnosed mental health problems, 'community treatment orders' can be a recommended course of action that forces a patient to either accept medication or ongoing treatment; or face a level of consequences up to monitoring, supervision or custodial outcomes.
Fisher pleaded guilty to Assault A Worker – Victim Suffers Harm, Assault A Worker Victim Not Suffer Harm, Disorderly Behaviour In Public Place and Breach Of Bail.
The Mango Inquirer did not have court accreditation at the time we attended the matter; so we couldn't record the hearing and charge dates, relying on our handwritten notes on a judge that speaks eloquently, but far too fast sometimes.
The outcome of Fisher's hearings this week is also unclear, as we weren't able to attend everything and there's no online database where judgments are published for access by the public, apart from court transcripts that attract significant document fees through an application process.
The prosecution in Fisher's case this week did press the court for the video his offending to be played, as the statement of facts on his charges were not considered enough to illustrate the gravity of the incidents.
The footage of Fisher's behaviour on a bus last year for his 'Disorderly Behaviour In Public Place' charge attracted remarks from the judge: "It would have been terrifying for the other people on the bus.
"It's surprising that's all he's charged with."
An exclusion order from the public bus network was noted by the judge as one avenue, with a variation should Fisher get employment.
The judge remarked: “People are held to ransom in these situations. If he is unable to conduct himself in a civilised manner, then he does not have a right to access public transport.
The Mango Inquirer has not been able to establish whether the assault from last year had any influence over Wilson Security's 'no-touch' policy, although Fisher can heard repeating in the footage: "Don't touch me, don't touch me."
One of the guard's injuries included a right orbital fracture.
The Casuarina bus interchange incident attracted four security guards to subdue Fisher, with his aggression subsiding once three transit security officers arrived on the scene.
There was another incident to the charges inside Casuarina Shopping Center where a guard was pushed after Fisher was asked to leave. It attracted 'Assault A Worker Victim Not Suffer Harm'.
We are The Mango Inquirer.
