A man accused of causing public alarm near ASIO's Canberra headquarters last year that triggered more than 20 police officers to converge has had his charges dismissed as he was unmedicated for mental health issues at the time, a court has heard.
Ronald James Goodwin, 44, fronted ACT Magistrates Court on Friday charged with acting with intent to cause public alarm.
Mr Goodwin also faced the backup charge of causing public mischief, which the prosecution dropped.
The court heard Mr Goodwin was suffering from schizophrenia at the time of the alleged offending on Constitution Avenue on September 9, which involved a backpack near ASIO, leading to road blockages and people being evacuated from businesses.
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The court also heard he suffered from a number of other chronic conditions, including psychosis, grandiose beliefs, paranoid persecutory delusions, suicidal ideation and self harm.
In court, his lawyer, Solitaire Zahnleiter applied for the charges to be dismissed on the grounds of mental impairment.
Ms Zahnleiter said that while she accepted the alleged offending was serious and concerning behaviour, it was "important to note that Mr Goodwin never intended any actual harm to any person" as police did not find anything of concern in the backpack.
"It was an empty threat, he was quite clearly at the time unmedicated. He was delusional and psychotic," she said.
Ultimately, the key focus is to prevent this occurring again - the best way to achieve that is the ongoing treatment of the defendant.
Magistrate Glenn Theakston
Ms Zahnleiter said her client had been placed on a psychiatric treatment order since March for six months and that he had complied.
Prosecutor James Melloy said that while they consented to withdrawing the charge, the alleged offending was of serious nature.
"The prosecution concedes that while the defendant may not have had malicious intent, it certainly did cause public alarm," Mr Melloy said.
"Three businesses had to be evacuated and had their gas and electricity shut off.
"It is a serious example of the offence."
Magistrate Glenn Theakston granted the application and dismissed the charge unconditionally as Mr Goodwin is already on a treatment order.
"The offence was one where there was no immediate risk to the community rather empty threats in that regard," Mr Theakston said.
"Ultimately, the key focus is to prevent this occurring again - the best way to achieve that is the ongoing treatment of the defendant."
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