By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A MAN has told a court that he absconded from his nominated bail address because he was hiding from a murderous Saudi Arabian consortium headed by a man he called “Iranian Ali”.
Christopher Pierre appeared in an in-person bail application on 28 September shortly after being arrested at Dandenong Plaza over outstanding arrest warrants.
He had been wanted for failing to answer bail and contravening family violence and community corrections orders.
Pierre told the court he had moved from a Dandenong boarding house address to a Doveton home – without telling police – because he had been “implicated in a homicide”.
He claimed that he was “linked in” to a former housemate “Gung Pham” in Doveton who was stabbed and burnt to death five months ago.
Homicide Squad detectives had investigated the case but the suspect could not be extradited from Saudi Arabia, Pierre said.
“When I was meant to be in court, the people caught up with me. I was hog-tied in a cupboard.”
When asked to identify the culprits, Pierre said: “A person called Iranian Ali.”
Pierre said he was “too scared” to report the incident.
The court was told Pierre had failed to appear on bail on 1 September – on top of similar previous offences.
He also hadn’t reported to police for more than a month, and was in breach of his third community corrections order, Dandenong Magistrates’ Court heard.
Since his most recent community order in April, Pierre had not allegedly attended one appointment with Corrections Victoria – not even the induction.
On his arrest, he was found with syringes in his pockets.
The applicant had said he was on prescribed methadone and addicted to pain medication, police informant Senior Constable Russell Bratton told the court.
“He said something was happening in his life and he had to stay low.”
Magistrate Greg Connellan adjourned the application until 7 October to give police time to verify Pierre’s homicide and Iranian Ali claims.
“Potentially we may need to also speak to the (police) Homicide Squad.”
As for Pierre’s bail, Mr Connellan said: “At the moment, no way.”
