John Lawrence Smart appeared before the Western Australian magistrates court on Thursday after being charged with “being armed in a way that may cause fear” following an incident at the electorate office of MP Hannah Beazley in Perth.
According to court filings, Smart entered the office and allegedly brandished what prosecutors described as “improvised nunchucks.” During the hearing, the defence argued that the objects in question could have been drumsticks rather than weapons.
Smart’s lawyer used the opportunity to raise concerns about his client’s mental health, stating that the alleged behaviour may be linked to underlying psychological issues.
The magistrate did not require Smart to enter a plea at the hearing, and the case will proceed to a later date for further determination of the charge.
Under Western Australian law, a person can be charged with being armed in a way that may cause fear if they possess or display an object that could reasonably be perceived as a weapon, even if the object is not a conventional firearm or knife.
<small>Source: The Guardian — read the original story there.</small>