Alleged hammer-wielding man accused of five-hour siege after using '20 bongs'

An alleged hammer and knife-wielding man is accused of barricading himself inside a unit for five hours after he is said to have consumed “20 bongs”.

Jordan David John Westin, 37, was charged with possessing offensive weapons with intent over the “bizarre” allegations before he was refused bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday (8 September).

Police had arrived at a unit complex in Oaks Estate after 4 pm on Thursday (7 September) and spoke to witnesses who alleged Westin had been walking around the carpark threatening to kill other residents, court documents claim.

It is alleged Westin was then seen coming out of his apartment wielding a large knife attached to a hammer, then walked to the carpark, where he made more threats to kill other residents.

Police allege they tried to speak to him, but he became hostile and barricaded himself in his home with two women, including his heavily pregnant partner.

It is alleged he refused to exit the home and police had to negotiate with him for five hours until he finally left after 9:30 pm.

On Friday Westin applied for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution, with Westin’s lawyer, Legal Aid’s Jeremy Banwell, claiming the police’s allegations were not an accurate reflection of the events.

He claimed Westin and his partner had been threatened by a member of the community, who said they would “cut out” his partner’s baby. She is due to give birth in six weeks.

Mr Banwell said his client went into his home after allegedly being threatened and it was his partner who had barricaded the doors.

He also said when the police clarified why they wanted to arrest him, he surrendered peacefully. The only drug he used was cannabis, the lawyer said.

However, Magistrate Glenn Theakston called the allegations serious and bizarre and said it had been reported that he’d consumed “20 bongs” on Thursday.

Westin spoke over the magistrate at times, including saying, “I can stop smoking marijuana”.

“My whole interaction with the police was trying to get the door unlocked so I could come out and hand myself in,” he said at one stage.

Magistrate Theakston claimed there was a real risk Westin may endanger the safety and welfare of someone else and he did not have confidence he would comply with bail conditions.

Bail was refused, Westin was remanded in custody and the matter was adjourned to 28 September. No plea was entered.