By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A MAGISTRATE has slammed a shortage of drug rehab services after an in-wait intellectually disabled ice addict held a steak knife to his girlfriend’s throat.
The man, who cannot be named because of an intervention order, was bailed on a deferred sentence by a court on Monday 7 September over charges including threatening to kill his ex-partner in his Dandenong South bungalow.
During an argument on 30 August, the man allegedly told the victim several times he would kick her out, adding he hoped she’d get raped.
Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Tracey Arnold told Dandenong Magistrates’ Court the man said: “If you go to the cops I’ll kill you” as he touched the knife to her throat.
The victim indicated she didn’t care and pushed his arms in an attempt to make him cut her.
He then allegedly dropped the knife, kicked her and called her a “dumb c…”.
She later told police that the man got aggressive and violent to her when he used ice, Ldg Sen Const Arnold said.
A defence lawyer said drugs were the “undoing” of the man, who is assisted by Youth Justice and Disability Youth Services.
The accused had found his eight days in remand custody unpleasant and difficult, the lawyer said.
“He has been on a waiting list for detox for a month and there has still been no place become available.”
The routine 12-week wait was being fast-tracked, the court was told.
“He’s next in line to take up that place,” the lawyer said.
Magistrate Pauline Spencer described the man’s wait for detox an “absolute travesty” especially given his disability.
“This lack of service availability is a real problem for someone vulnerable in (the accused’s) situation.
“The alternative to keep (him) and other people safe is imprisonment which costs a lot more.”
Ms Spencer said jails were swelling because of a lack of funding for people wanting detox.
“This is the real example of why more funding has to go into these services.”
She deferred the man’s sentence, extending his bail on condition he attends residential rehab when it became available.
She said if not for the accused’s “personal circumstances” he would be facing jail.
“You’re somebody with complex needs. The major complicating factor for your intellectual disability is your use of ice.”
She granted bail taking into account the victim had moved to Western Australia, was protected by a full intervention order as well as there being no other recent family violence offending by him.
