A YOUNG man who left his parents fearful for their lives after refusing to leave their premises on Tuesday has been remanded in custody.
Jake Rankin, 19, appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court via video-link yesterday.
The incident occurred at around 9am on Tuesday when Rankin visited his father’s premises and punched a hole in the laundry window.
Police attended and issued the defendant with a trespassing notice not to return to the premises for 24 hours.
Around 30 minutes later Rankin returned and kicked his father’s car.
The victim called a friend after feeling concerned for his safety.
Rankin then approached the front door and tried to enter, despite being told to leave.
He smashed the door while yelling abuse at the victim who continued to fear for his safety.
“The defendant also indicated at one point that he had a knife,” the prosecution said.
The victim indicated he was going to call police again and officers attended to find the wooden door flung open and
damaged.
Rankin returned to the premises again in the afternoon and began damaging the roller door to a shed at the house.
The victim attempted to hold the roller door so it would not be destroyed, before realising Rankin was hitting it with an axe.
Rankin’s father was concerned about what he might do at this stage and called police again.
Police attended and arrested the defendant.
The prosecution said Rankin’s parents were concerned about their son’s behaviour, which they said had been affected by drug use.
“They would be extremely scared for their safety if he was released on bail,” the prosecution said.
Defence counsel for Rankin made an application for bail and urged the court to consider his young age and lack of relevant history.
However, Magistrate Jack Fahey said he did not think he could consider bail short of home detention at an address some distance from Mount Gambier.
“I am not prepared to consider any form of bail in Mount Gambier on any condition,” Magistrate Fahey said.
The matter was adjourned until May 20 to allow the defendant’s lawyer to investigate if there was an address available in Adelaide for his client to reside.
