A police officer suffered serious injuries in a dog attack in Rivett on Sunday when investigating the theft of a mobility scooter from Cooleman Court in Weston.
Thirty-five-year-old Rivett man Matthew John Millard faced the ACT Magistrates Court today (Monday 2 July 2018) charged with theft, causing harm to a Commonwealth public official and three counts of causing grievous bodily harm. Bail was refused and he threatened police as he left the court.
Police said that about 9:40 am on Sunday, officers went to a residence on Lomatia Place, Rivett, in relation to an alleged theft of a mobility scooter from the Cooleman Court shopping centre on Wednesday 27 June 2018.
While there, the offender’s dog attacked the officers, causing serious injuries to one who had to be taken to hospital, needing surgery.
The animal was later seized by Domestic Animal Services.
The ABC reported that Millard’s lawyer applied for bail, noting the dog’s seizure and claiming a low reoffending risk.
The Defence said Millard had been studying engineering at TAFE for six months, was taking part in a methadone program and had a partner.
Millard’s lawyer also claimed his client should be granted bail because his partner was arriving home from a three-month holiday in Thailand and did not have funds to get back to her Rivett home from the airport.
But magistrate Bernadette Boss refused bail, saying the accused was only six months into a two-year good behaviour bond.
Dr Boss said he had a “sustained history” of offending since 1997 and “the only gaps [in offending] have been when he’s been in jail”.
Millard called police officers “f***ing maggots” and imitated shooting a gun at them as he was escorted out of court.
He is due to return to court on 18 July.
Anyone who has any information about the theft of the mobility scooter or dog attack is urged to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the website.
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