Collie man Ashley James McDonnell refused bail over threatening mother with knife and scissors, reacts angrily

A Collie man accused of threatening to “kill c. . .s” if his mother did not get him pain medication has reacted angrily to being refused bail amid concerns for his mother’s safety. Ashley James McDonnell appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court on Friday where he was charged with being armed in a way that may cause fear, and making a threat to act unlawfully. It was alleged Mr McDonnell had recently been discharged from Collie Hospital after a medical procedure and his mother had travelled from Bunbury to look after him during his recovery. Police said Mr McDonnell asked his mother on January 27 if she could take him to the chemist or hospital to obtain pain medication but was told he had been banned from entering the chemist due to a previous incident several years ago. During the car ride, Mr McDonnell allegedly began making demands of his mother to return throwing knives he believed she had taken, and became violent when his mother denied having them. It was alleged Mr McDonnell pulled out a pair of scissors from his pocket and started waving them towards his mother, prompting her to pull over and exit the vehicle while he followed saying “I am killing c. . .s if you don’t take me to the chemist”. Police say Mr McDonnell also swung a knife towards her after grabbing her by the arm but was ultimately arrested by police who were called to the scene. As police prosecutor Sergeant Jo Morrissey read the alleged facts to the court, Mr McDonnell could be heard scoffing at the allegations. A bail application was made on Mr McDonnell’s behalf to have him return to his Collie home with a submission that the mother did not typically live with him in Collie, despite owning a house in the town and occasionally visiting to check on the property. However, the court was told of Mr McDonnell’s alleged history of carrying articles in a way to cause fear as well as previous convictions for family violence. Holding concerns for the victim’s safety as well as the risk of Mr McDonnell potentially reoffending, Magistrate Linda Keane refused bail, prompting Mr McDonnell to storm out of the dock into the holding cells. Mr McDonnell could be heard screaming and yelling profanities after the hearing. He is next due to appear in Collie Magistrates Court at a later date.