Steve Butcher August 09, 2012
A man who menaced federal Attorney-General Nicola Roxon at a pre-Anzac Day ceremony in Altona in April - and pointed his hand in the shape of a gun at her head - was later found to own five firearms, including three 12-gauge shotguns.
Mark Steven Andrew, 52, confronted Ms Roxon and state Labor parliamentarian Jill Hennessy and told them he would ''like to shoot you both''.
The Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday heard Andrew first approached the MPs after the ceremony outside council offices in Altona on April 22 and told Ms Hennessy: ''I can't believe my luck. I've got two of you in the one place, which makes it easier to take you both out.''
Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg was told Andrew, a disability support pensioner, was socially isolated.
The MPs described Andrew, who pleaded guilty to two charges of making a threat to kill, as angry, agitated and determined.
Ms Roxon and Ms Hennessy, whose five-year-old daughter was present, were attending the ceremony that began at the local RSL branch. Prosecutor Stephen Young told the court it was after the ceremony Andrew made his first remark.
Mr Young said Andrew moved closer to the MPs and made more threatening remarks. He then ''came closer to her [Ms Roxon] and, making his hand like a gun and pointing it at her head, said, 'Especially you. Bang.' ''
The women then went to their cars ''as quickly as possible''.
Andrew was arrested on Anzac Day outside his Altona home, where police found legal firearms.
Defence lawyer Melinda Walker said Andrew's remorse was significant. Andrew was bailed for sentencing on August 22.