By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A MAN with an ice habit and an acquired brain injury has been accused of robbing two dementia patients as they slept at their Kooweerup aged care facility early on 19 September.
Lee Muscat, of Pakenham, was refused bail at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court later that day over an alleged overnight crime spree including an attempted car wash ram raid, a police pursuit and attempting to steal a car, a truck and a mobility scooter.
He told the court he had little memory of the incidents.
The bail hearing was told Muscat had been identified on CCTV using a stolen 1995 Toyota to ram coin dispensers at a Pakenham car wash on Racecourse Road on 18 September.
Muscat was allegedly at the premises for 50 minutes. He failed to take any coins but caused thousands of dollars of damage, police alleged.
That night, Muscat allegedly broke into the office of Pakenham Caravan Park. An awoken manager was told by Muscat to “get the f*** away or I’ll smash your face in”, the court was told.
Muscat allegedly sped off and was seen by Cardinia Highway Patrol members a short time later driving through a red light at Princes Highway and Racecourse Road.
During the police pursuit, Muscat allegedly reached 158 km/h in a 90 km/h zone. Police called off the chase when Muscat turned off his headlights and drove around a roundabout on the wrong side at Manks Road.
The car was found abandoned and incinerated after apparently hitting a tree at Rossiter Road, Kooweerup.
Police alleged that Muscat admitted to placing papers under a car seat and lighting the car after the crash.
The car had been stolen from a Pakenham shopping centre car park on 16 September.
At 3am on 19 September, Muscat allegedly broke into the aged care facility about 500 metres from the crash site.
Two nurses allegedly saw Muscat at the front reception, run down the corridor and enter two patients’ units where he allegedly stole their belongings.
He was accused of using a screwdriver to force locks and ignition barrels of a Commodore, a truck and a mobility scooter in attempted thefts at the facility’s car park.
About 6.50am, Muscat was found holding up a hammer at police on Rossiter Road. He was allegedly found with cash and cards belonging to one of the dementia patients and a screwdriver.
Police told the court he made partial admissions in a police interview that morning.
The court was told Muscat had acquired his brain injury in a car crash in 2007.
His lawyer said Muscat had been not offending since released from custody for several months but came “unstuck” when he switched from oxycontin painkillers to methadone on 15 September.
During the alleged crime spree, Muscat was affected by drugs, alcohol and medication, the lawyer said.
“He doesn’t know exactly what he’s done and where.”
The accused, who was cradling his left arm in the dock, was afraid that if he went back to jail his septicaemic arm could be amputated, the lawyer said.
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen told the lawyer to “get realistic about this”.
“He’s looking at a very significant term of imprisonment.
“You’re getting instructions from this person who’s done all this a couple of hours ago. I don’t think he’s showing great judgement.”
Mr Vandersteen said bail was rejected because Muscat was “clearly an unacceptable risk of endangering members of the public.”
