Adam Allan was withdrawing from ‘drug of addiction’ after he threw a can of soft drink during a string of random attack on women

A man who flung soft drink cans during a string of violent offences against five women in Geelong was coming down off a “drug of addiction” when he was first remanded, a court has been told. Adam Allan, 39, appeared before the Geelong Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon following the random attacks in the Geelong CBD. Police alleged the Cranbourne West man “physically assaulted five separate females throughout the Geelong CBD in random attacks”, in which he allegedly struck the women of threw cans which hit them. His charges included that he stole four cans of soft drink valued at $12, and that he “threw a missile namely a can of drink to the injury of persons”. Mr Allan beamed into the courtroom remotely from the Melbourne Assessment Prison, where it was heard that he was “withdrawing from a drug of addiction” at the time of his initial remand, had a past diagnosis of schizophrenia, and was prescribed morphine and valium. He was also banned from the Geelong CBD at the time of his alleged offending, due to bail conditions that barred him from the city centre. The incidents all happened between 4pm and 5.30pm on Little Malop Street, Malop Street, Gheringhap Street and Rippleside Park. Police said he initially fled the area but was arrested at Rippleside park just after 5.30pm on Saturday August 2. On Tuesday he was charged with recklessly cause injury, aggravated assault, unlawful assault, theft, discharge missile and contravene conduct condition of bail. He was represented by Ryan Robertson, who told the court he had “attempted to book a conference” with Mr Allan several times, and was “successful just before the link”. The case was adjourned until August 26.